Old Trafford, August 17, 2025 ā Arsenal kicked off their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1ā0 win over Manchester United, courtesy of a 13th-minute header from Riccardo Calafiori. Despite United dominating possession and creating more chances, it was the Gunners who walked away with all three points.
ā½ Match Summary
Arsenalās only goal came from a Declan Rice corner that Altay Bayındir failed to deal with, allowing Calafiori to nod home from close range. The goal was Arsenalās 16th from a set piece in their last 20 Premier League matches ā a trend PulseSportsHub highlighted in our Arsenal tactical preview.
Despite the early setback, United responded with intensity. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both tested David Raya, while Patrick Dorgu struck the post in the second half. Benjamin Sesko came off the bench but couldnāt find the breakthrough.
š Match Stats
| Stat | Man United | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 22 | 9 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 3 |
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Pass Accuracy | 82% | 71% |
| Fouls | 10 | 19 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 0 |
| Corners | 3 | 4 |
Unitedās dominance in possession and territory was clear, but Arsenalās defensive resilience ā led by Saliba and Gabriel ā kept them at bay. For a full breakdown of Unitedās attacking patterns and Arsenalās defensive shape, visit our match analysis.
š§ Tactical Takeaways
- Arsenalās Set Piece Mastery: Once again, Arsenal capitalized on a corner, continuing their trend from last season.
- Unitedās Goalkeeping Woes: Altay Bayındirās error reignited questions about Unitedās depth between the posts, especially with Andre Onana sidelined.
- Midfield Battle: Casemiro and Fernandes showed flashes of control, but Arsenalās compact midfield limited their impact.
š£ļø Manager Reactions
Ruben Amorim admitted post-match that United were āthe better teamā but lamented the lack of finishing quality. Mikel Arteta praised his sideās grit and defensive discipline, calling it āa mature performance away from home.ā
š League Standings Snapshot
Arsenal now sit 6th in the table, while United drop to 15th. For full standings and upcoming fixtures, check our Premier League hub.
š Whatās Next?
- Manchester United face Fulham next weekend, hoping to bounce back and convert dominance into goals.
- Arsenal host Bournemouth, looking to build momentum early in their title quest.
