Onyeka warns teammates ahead EPL opener

Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has warned his Coventry City teammates against complacency ahead of their Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 21, urging them to be tactically disciplined against a side he described as difficult to contain, PidomNigeria Sports Extra reports.

Coventry return to the top flight for the first time since 2001 after Frank Lampard led them to promotion via the EFL Championship last season, a campaign in which Onyeka was a key player following his loan move from Brentford.

Arsenal, meanwhile, ended a 22-year wait for a league title last season, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City.

“I would have to say Man City, Arsenal, Brighton, Liverpool,” the 28-year-old told Coventry Live, naming the sides his teammates should be most wary of.

“Those are the teams that you know will have the ball a lot, and so you need to run, and you need to defend. Those are the teams that are really getting close to you, so you need to be compact, and you need to be focused.

“In terms of individuals, the likes of De Bruyne, Odegaard and Foden, because what they do is they are so clever playing behind you so you cannot really see where they are. You have to be focused throughout because you can get punished at any time. So we need to be tactically strong and defend well, and make sure we take our chances from set-pieces and counter attacks.”

Onyeka, who joined Coventry permanently in the summer after five seasons with Brentford, also welcomed manager Frank Lampard’s decision to sign a new contract on June 30 that ties him to the club until 2029.

“It was nice because I had heard some rumours that he was maybe going to leave, and that was like, oh. But it is great because he is a legend of the game and I watched him play.

“For me, being proud of this group, it is huge, and I am really grateful that he gave me the opportunity to be here and be part of this club,” said the 45-cap Super Eagles star.

Coventry will face Arsenal, Hull City, Manchester City, Brighton and Nottingham Forest in their opening five Premier League fixtures.