Arsenal's narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday may not have been a vintage performance, but it was precisely the kind of result the Gunners needed to kickstart their Premier League title challenge. In a game filled with intensity and errors, Riccardo Calafiori's early goal, capitalizing on a misjudgement from United's stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, proved to be the difference.
The match itself was far from a dominant display by Arsenal. Manchester United, under new manager Ruben Amorim, looked the better side for large portions of the game, holding 61% possession and unleashing 22 shots compared to Arsenal's nine. United's new signings, particularly Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, impressed with their attacking intent and directness. However, despite their efforts, they couldn't find a way past Arsenal's resilient defense and the outstanding performance of goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal's victory was built on defensive solidity and capitalizing on a set-piece opportunity. Calafiori's goal from a corner demonstrated their continued prowess in dead-ball situations, an area where they excelled last season. The Gunners' defense, led by Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, showcased their resilience by throwing their bodies on the line to block shots and frustrate United's attack. Raya's heroics in goal, including crucial saves from Cunha, further solidified Arsenal's defensive effort.
While the three points were undoubtedly valuable, manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that his team's performance was not up to their usual standards. Arsenal's passing accuracy of 75% was their lowest in a Premier League match since September 2024, indicating a lack of control and fluency in their play. The midfield, even with the presence of new signing Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, struggled to dictate the tempo.
New signing Viktor Gyokeres also had a quiet debut. Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances for the Swedish striker, with their attacking play often appearing forced and lacking the usual rhythm. However, Arteta remained optimistic, acknowledging Gyokeres' positive contributions in high pressing and expressing confidence that he will integrate more effectively as the season progresses.
Despite the shortcomings in their performance, Arsenal's ability to grind out a win in a difficult away fixture is a testament to their improved mentality and resilience. As Roy Keane noted, a sign of a really good team is when they can win even when not at their best. This victory provides Arsenal with valuable momentum and confidence as they navigate a challenging start to the season.
Arsenal's win at Old Trafford was not a performance that will live long in the memory, but it was a vital step in the right direction. It demonstrated their defensive strength, set-piece threat, and ability to win ugly – all essential qualities for a team with title aspirations. While improvements are needed in their overall play, this victory provides a solid foundation upon which Arsenal can build as they aim to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League crown.
