Arsenal kicked off their Premier League season with a statement win on Sunday, grinding out a 1-0 victory over Manchester United thanks to a first-half strike from Riccardo Calafiori.
The breakthrough arrived early. In the 13th minute, United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir misjudged a corner under pressure from William Saliba, spilling the ball into Calafiori’s path. The Italian defender reacted quickest, nodding home his first Premier League goal and silencing Old Trafford.
United Show Promise but Lack Cutting Edge
Despite the early setback, Ruben Amorim’s new-look United largely dictated the tempo. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both debutants, injected pace and energy into the attack but couldn’t find the finish. Patrick Dorgu came closest, smashing the post with a strike from the edge of the box.
David Raya was key to Arsenal holding on. The Gunners’ keeper pulled off several sharp saves, none better than his fingertip stop to deny Mbeumo’s thumping header midway through the second half.
Amorim praised his side’s intent despite the loss: “We were brave, we created chances, and the performance was a world away from last season. Only the result was missing,” he said.
Numbers Tell the Story
On the stats sheet, United had every reason to feel aggrieved. They finished with 22 shots to Arsenal’s nine, dominated possession with 62%, and forced Raya into seven saves. Yet, as has often been the case under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s ruthless efficiency at set pieces proved the difference.
Since the start of last season, no Premier League side has been more dangerous from corners, and Calafiori’s goal marked Arsenal’s 31st from such situations in that span — 11 more than their closest rivals.
Arteta’s Perspective
Arteta acknowledged the nature of the victory: “It’s a massive result here, against a strong side and their new signings. The way we scored wasn’t pretty, but in football you win in both boxes. Today we did that.”
New striker Viktor Gyökeres, however, endured a subdued debut, struggling to get involved before being withdrawn early in the second half.
Final Whistle Frustrations
United thought they might have had a late chance to equalise when Cunha tumbled under Saliba’s challenge, but VAR stayed silent, much to the home crowd’s anger.
As the final whistle blew, the Emirates faithful who had made the trip north made themselves heard, reviving the old chant: “One-nil to the Arsenal.” For Arteta’s men, it was a reminder that substance — not style — can be enough to start a season on the right foot.