Former England star slams ‘shambles’ Premier League rules after feature is used during Arsenal vs Coventry

A FORMER England star has blasted the moment Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was interviewed at half-time. The Gunners winger had just scored one of the defending Prem champions’ two first-half goals against newly-promoted Coventry City. But his half-time recovery was interrupted by an interview as the game’s broadcaster Sky Sports pulled him aside for a brief chat. Premier League rules allow for pre-arranged half-time interviews with players at their club’s discretion. But clearly not all stars – or fans – are supporters of the televised conversations. Among them was Aaron Lennon, who was not afraid to voice his opposition to the broadcasting rules that allow the interviews to take place. READ MORE IN SPORT The former England and Tottenham Hotspur man spent 19 years in the professional game himself between 2003 and 2022. But the fuming star, 39, took to X during the second half to write: “Players having to answer questions about the game at half time is a shambles.” Fans in his replies clearly agreed, with one fan calling the half-time interviews “Americanised rubbish.” Another commenter added: “Totally agree, a nonsense.” Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But Saka himself did not seem the slightest bit phased by the questions during his break, which lasted around 30 seconds before he was let go back to the changing rooms. He answered when asked about his take on the game: “It’s nice to start the first game in the Premier League back at the Emirates with the fans. I think we had a great 45 minutes. “This is the Arsenal that we want to see this season. I am enjoying the game and looking forward to the second half.” He added: “We want more. We want to score more goals. That’s the attitude we’re going to come back out with.” That attitude told as Martin Odegaard added the Gunners’ third just eight minutes into the second half to seal an opening-day win for his side. Arsenal player ratings: Christos Tzolis leaves Emirates breathless with stunning Prem debut & Odegaard is irreplaceable ARSENAL started their title defence in style as they brushed newly promoted Coventry City aside with ease. The Gunners cruised to a 3-0 victory over Frank Lampard‘s Sky Blues to start the new season exactly where they ended the last one – top of the league. Kai Havertz opened the scoring with a sweeping finish into the bottom corner. The German’s goal was followed by a tap-in from Bukayo Saka, who was started his first match since the World Cup. And it was captain Martin Odegaard who put the cherry on top for Arsenal when he sliced home the third to cement all three points. Find out how SunSport Arsenal reporter Joshua Hall rated each individual performance here…