Arsenal kicked off their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The match was tense, physical, and decided by a single moment of misfortune.
The breakthrough came early. In the 13th minute, Declan Rice whipped in a corner that slipped through the hands of United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
William Saliba’s aerial pressure caused panic, and Riccardo Calafiori pounced, heading in from close range. It was his first goal for Arsenal since joining from Bologna in the summer.
Bayindir, deputising for the injured André Onana, looked nervous throughout. His error proved decisive in a game where United otherwise dominated.
United’s Missed Chances and Arsenal’s Defensive Steel
Manchester United controlled the ball, enjoying 62% possession and firing 22 shots. Arsenal managed just 9. Despite the numbers, United couldn’t find the net.
Patrick Dorgu rattled the post midway through the first half. New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo added pace and flair. Cunha forced a sharp save from David Raya, while Mbeumo came close twice—first with a glancing header, then with an acrobatic overhead kick that drifted wide.
In the second half, United kept pushing. Benjamin Sesko’s powerful header flashed across goal, but Arsenal’s defence held firm. Raya stayed calm under pressure, and Saliba led the backline with authority.
Arsenal didn’t create much going forward. But they remained dangerous from set pieces. Since the start of last season, they’ve scored 31 league goals from corners—more than any other Premier League side.
What The Coaches Said
After the match, United manager Ruben Amorim remained positive. “We pressed well, we were aggressive, and we controlled long spells,” he said. “If we play like this, we can beat anybody.”
He acknowledged the goalkeeping issue, with Onana expected to be out for several weeks due to a thigh injury.
Mikel Arteta praised his team’s grit. “We knew we would suffer at times here, but the team stayed composed and defended with courage,” he said. “To start the season with a clean sheet and a win at Old Trafford is a huge statement.”
Arsenal's set-piece coach is at it again 😏
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 17, 2025
The Gunners break the deadlock from a corner ⚪⚡
📺 Stream #MUNARS on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/0SnXxXsIyL
The win continues Arsenal’s impressive away record in opening fixtures. They’ve now won five of their last six Premier League openers on the road.
United, meanwhile, were left frustrated. Despite dominating the game, they failed to convert chances and paid the price for one costly mistake.
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