Old Trafford witnessed a tense Premier League opener as Arsenal pulled off a gritty 1–0 win over Manchester United.
The breakthrough came early. In the 13th minute, Declan Rice sent in a sharp corner that led to a mix-up between United’s defense and their goalkeeper. Riccardo Calafiori was in the right place at the right time, heading the ball into an open net after a fumble in the box. A nightmare for United — a gift for Arsenal.
From there, the game shifted. Manchester United dominated possession, created more chances, and constantly threatened. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both tested Arsenal keeper David Raya with powerful efforts, and Patrick Dorgu came painfully close with a shot that smashed off the post.
But Arsenal’s back line stayed disciplined, and Raya stood tall when it mattered most. It wasn’t pretty football, but it was resilient — and effective.
After full-time, Mikel Arteta admitted it wasn’t the cleanest performance but praised his side’s mentality and fight. For United, it was a frustrating night of missed chances and early-season nerves.
Three points on the board for Arsenal. And a reminder that sometimes, it’s not about how you win — just that you do.
