Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford to kick off their Premier League season. In a match where United were arguably the dominant side for large periods, Arsenal’s tactical discipline and a moment of fortune from a set piece proved to be the difference. The result marks a statement win for the Gunners, who continued their impressive record against their rivals and started the campaign with three points, following in the footsteps of title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City. For Manchester United, despite a much-improved performance and an energetic display from their new signings, a lack of a clinical edge in front of goal and a costly goalkeeping error led to a familiar defeat.
Key Moments of the Game
- 13′ – Goal for Arsenal (Riccardo Calafiori): The decisive moment came early. A Declan Rice corner kick caused chaos in the Manchester United box. United’s backup goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, who was starting for an injured André Onana, failed to deal with the delivery, allowing Arsenal’s new defender Riccardo Calafiori to head the ball into an empty net from close range.
- 29′ – Dorgu hits the post: Manchester United responded strongly after conceding. Patrick Dorgu unleashed a powerful shot from the left side of the box that struck the far post, denying United an equalizer.
- 38′ – Raya saves from Cunha: Matheus Cunha, another new United forward, made a bustling run into the box and fired a low shot toward goal. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made an excellent save to keep the Gunners’ lead intact.
- 74′ – Raya saves from Mbeumo: United continued to press for an equalizer. Bryan Mbeumo connected with a cross from Dorgu, but his downward header was brilliantly palmed away by David Raya, who was in superb form.
- Late Game Heroics: As United piled on the pressure, Arsenal’s defense, marshaled by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, stood firm. Saliba, in particular, made a crucial late block on a Cunha shot to secure the clean sheet.
Match Stats
- Manchester United Shots: 22
- Arsenal Shots: 9
- Possession: Manchester United 62% – Arsenal 38%
- Goals from Corners: Three of Arsenal’s last four goals against Manchester United have come from corners.
- Clean Sheets: Arsenal’s clean sheet was their fourth in their last five Premier League away games in August.
Man of the Match
While Riccardo Calafiori scored the winning goal and William Saliba was immense in defense, the consensus among many media outlets was that David Raya was the Man of the Match. Despite an unconvincing display from Arsenal as a whole, Raya made several vital saves, particularly from United’s new signings, to ensure the Gunners held on for the victory.
Coach Tactics
- Ruben Amorim (Manchester United): Amorim’s team showed a significant tactical shift from the previous season. They were aggressive, pressed high, and looked to play one-on-one across the pitch. The focus was on utilizing the pace and power of their new attacking trio of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and, later, Benjamin Sesko. The lack of a recognized number nine at the start of the game was a point of debate, but the new faces showed promise and created numerous chances.
- Mikel Arteta (Arsenal): Arsenal’s tactics revolved around their well-known strengths. They were highly effective from set pieces, a key part of their success in recent seasons, and it paid off with the winning goal. In open play, however, they were less fluid than expected, with new striker Viktor Gyökeres struggling on his debut. Once they took the lead, Arsenal’s strategy shifted to a more defensive and resilient approach, relying on their strong backline to absorb United’s pressure and secure the three points.
