Arsenal began their Premier League campaign with a narrow but hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Riccardo Calafiori’s early header proving decisive in a game shaped by a costly goalkeeping error.
The breakthrough came inside 13 minutes when Altay Bayindir, standing in for the absent Andre Onana, failed to deal with Declan Rice’s corner, allowing Calafiori to nod home and mark his debut with a crucial goal. Despite Arsenal’s early advantage, it was United who looked the sharper side going forward, especially with their three high-profile summer signings making an impact on debut.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all featured for Ruben Amorim’s side, with Cunha and Mbeumo in particular testing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya throughout. Raya was forced into several outstanding saves, including a low fingertip stop to deny Mbeumo late in the first half, before producing a spectacular reflex effort in the second period to keep out another header from the Cameroon international.
United’s pressure began when Patrick Dorgu struck the base of the post with a powerful shot, and the hosts continued to push for an equaliser. Despite controlling much of the play after the opening goal, Amorim’s men were repeatedly frustrated by Raya’s assured display.
Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled to create further chances after Calafiori’s opener, registering no shots on target in the second half and only a handful overall. Martin Odegaard tried his luck from distance, while Rice saw a free-kick deflected behind, but the visitors’ attacking threat largely fizzled out.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta’s side held firm to secure a valuable three points on the opening weekend. For Manchester United, defeat was a disappointing outcome, but their lively attacking display and the promising performances of their new recruits offered signs of encouragement that this campaign could prove far more positive than the last.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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