Arsenal made a triumphant start to the 2025-26 Premier League season on Sunday, claiming a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Manchester United at the iconic Old Trafford stadium.
The decisive moment of the match came in the 13th minute when Riccardo Calafiori found the back of the net, capitalising on a momentary lapse in concentration by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
As Declan Rice delivered a precise inswinging corner, Bayindir’s failure to properly clear the danger allowed Calafiori to rise above the defence and nodded the ball home, sending the visiting fans into raptures.
Despite falling behind early, Manchester United rallied impressively, orchestrated by their new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who showed flashes of flair and creativity.
The home side put Arsenal’s defence under considerable pressure, creating several opportunities to equalise.
However, they were consistently thwarted by the outstanding performance of Gunners’ goalkeeper David Raya.
Raya produced a series of remarkable saves, most notably denying Cunha with a reflex stop and later keeping out a powerful strike from Mbeumo, thus preserving Arsenal’s slender lead.
As the match proceeded, Arsenal’s backline exhibited resilience and organisation, successfully stifling United’s attacking threats while seeking to extend their advantage.
Although both sides had moments to shine, the Gunners managed to maintain their composure and control the tempo, demonstrating a blend of defensive solidity and quick counter-attacks.
The victory will serve as a significant boost for Arsenal as they aim to build on their early momentum in the league, while United will need to regroup and find their rhythm in the coming fixtures.
