Even without playing their best football, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal kicked off their Premier League campaign with three crucial points.
Manchester United looked the better side throughout the game but couldn’t find the back of the net. Instead, an early mistake from their goalkeeper gifted Arsenal the lead, which they held onto until the final whistle.
Arteta’s men edged United 1-0 in their opening Premier League clash on Sunday at Old Trafford. The decisive goal came from Italian defender Ricardo Calafiori.
United dominated possession and attacking play. Ruben Amorim’s side controlled about 62% of the ball, took 22 shots, and hit the target seven times. Arsenal, despite struggling to create, managed just nine shots, three of which were on target.
The breakthrough came in the 13th minute thanks to United keeper Altay Bayındır’s blunder. Attempting to clear a corner with an outstretched hand, he failed to deal with the ball, which ricocheted off him and was headed into the far post by Calafiori.
United nearly equalized in the 30th minute when Patrick Dorgu’s low strike from the left was denied by the far post. Eight minutes later, Brazilian forward Mateus Quaresma’s powerful shot from a tight angle was brilliantly saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya.
Star striker Viktor Gyökeres, making his much-anticipated Premier League debut, struggled to make an impact and was replaced by Kai Havertz just after the hour mark.
In the 73rd minute, Raya once again frustrated the hosts with another superb save, diving to stop a header from Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo.
United continued to create chances but failed to break through Arsenal’s defense.
Earlier in the day, Chelsea, fresh from their Club World Cup triumph, were held to a goalless draw at home by Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest defeated Brentford 3-1.
