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Arsenal record slim victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford

Arsenal on Sunday opened their 2025-26 Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Riccardo Calafiori scored the only goal after the Italian defender pounced on a huge mistake by United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Manchester United fought hard to find their way back but they were unable to find the breakthrough.

The Gunners held on to grab the maximum points to begin their season on a victorious note.

Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, described the victory as a great result, praising the players for their hunger in the encounter.

He said, “A great result. In the first game of the season you come to Old Trafford. You sense the momentum that they’re trying to build with the ambition they have with the club.

“We have the hunger, desire and ability to win. I am really pleased with that.

“Last year we drew here and we probably played better.

“We came here away and won, which is a big result. We were clearly not at our best. We attacked the box and we reacted well to unusual mistakes. The team reacted time after time in an incredible way. Very proud of that because that is why we got the opportunity to win the game.

“We showed resilience and a will to win. They put you on the ropes here, you will have to have moments when you suffer. To find a way to win at this ground, I’m very happy with the team.

Arteta was delighted with the new signings’ impact after the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, and Martin Zubimendi made their debut for the club.

“They have made good impact on the team; they have a great attitude. Physically some of them are still not at the level we require for 95 minutes but we will get there.”

Similarly, Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, was proud of his team’s performance despite the defeat.

He said: “It was really hard because I think we showed that we were the better team today. We played better than Arsenal.

“A strange goal, but then we tried everything to score a goal. We have small things that will make a difference in the future. The defence felt like a different team and that is a good thing, but we need to win games.

“I am proud of the players. I said so many times that the players need to adapt.

“Intensity, the way they are sprinting. They fought for every duel. They were so brave playing one against one. They were really brave, and I am happy with that.

The Portuguese coach has called for improvement ahead of their next Premier League game against Fulham next Sunday.

Amorim said: “We deserved more and we were the better team, that is clear but in the end we lost.

“We need to work on the things we need to improve. We need to defend set pieces. We did a lot of things right. There are a lot of things without seeing the video that we need to work on. I am really proud of my players.”

Arsenal will return to Premier League action against Leeds United on Saturday while Manchester United will take on Fulham on Sunday.