Arsenal Edge Manchester United 1–0 at Old Trafford, but Arteta Seeks More
Arsenal opened their Premier League campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, sealed by Riccardo Calafiori’s header from a corner. While Mikel Arteta’s side showed defensive resilience and set-piece strength, their attack lacked fluidity, with debutant Viktor Gyokeres struggling to make an impact. Arteta praised the result but admitted his team must improve to meet the challenges ahead.
Arsenal kicked off their 2025–26 Premier League campaign with a hard fought 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025. The match was decided early: Riccardo Calafiori nodded home a corner in the 13th minute after United’s goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, fumbled Declan Rice’s delivery a critical moment borne from Arsenal’s reputation as one of the league's most formidable set-piece teams.
Despite the clean sheet, Arsenal’s performance lacked fluidity and attacking cohesion. The team often looked disjointed going forward, with subpar passing and rhythm, according to multiple analysts. Defensively, however, they stood firm: goalkeeper David Raya made several key saves, preserving the slender lead under intense pressure. New striker Viktor Gyokeres endured a frustrating Premier League debut, he failed to record a single shot before being substituted around the hour-mark.
Former manager Alan Pardew described the performance as “poor,” suggesting the player’s limited pre-season might have hindered his sharpness. Arteta praised the result, calling it "massive," particularly for delivering a win at a stadium where Arsenal have historically struggled, but was quick to underline that the team must raise their standards. Indeed, while Arsenal’s set piece mastery and defensive resilience were central to securing the three points, the overall showing exposed obvious areas for improvement.