Riccardo Calafiori’s header saw Arsenal edge to a 1-0 win against Manchester United in their Premier League opener, despite Ruben Amorim’s side looking much-improved going forward.
The Old Trafford side had splashed out on three attacking players this summer – Matheus Cuhna, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko – who all made their Manchester United debuts on Super Sunday.
But the game was ultimately decided on a goalkeeping error. Altay Bayindir – deputising for the absent Andre Onana – failed to deal with Declan Rice’s corner, allowing Calafiori to nod home inside 13 minutes.
And David Raya needed to be at his best at the other end to keep out the lively Cunha and Mbeumo, who signed from Wolves and Brentford respectively.
Late in the first half, the Arsenal goalkeeper needed to make a low, one-handed save to fingertip Mbeumo’s latest shot away from danger. Cunha too had already fired some efforts his way, but were handled well by Raya.
David Raya pushes Matheus Cunha’s shot wide to keep Arsenal in front at Old Trafford in their Premier League clash
The spell of pressure began when Patrick Dorgu rattled the bottom of the post with a thunderous shot. Manchester United continued to probe for a deserved equaliser in the second half, as Arsenal – despite their lead – looked a touch behind their opponents as the game continued.
Patrick Dorgu hits the post from distance as Man Utd push for an equaliser against Arsenal
In the pick of the chances, Mbeumo nodded another effort goalwards after a deflected cross from Dorgu, but Raya was out again to make a spectacular save.
The Gunners registered zero shots on target in the second half and just four overall after the break, with only a few efforts of note after the goal. Martin Odegaard shot from range in the first half, while Declan Rice saw a free-kick deflect behind for a corner.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya denies Bryan Mbeumo as Man Utd search for a leveller at Old Trafford
But crucially, they came away with a vital three points, showing their experience to win a game they were not at their best in. While Manchester United were beaten, there will surely be plenty of encouragement that this season will be more successful all around than the last.
Neville: Three points is big for Arteta
Gary Neville at Old Trafford: “Arsenal really dug in. They showed a lot of resilience.
“We know how good they are defensively. The goalkeeper made some really good saves and the back four got better as the game went on.
“Arsenal were never at their best but to come to Manchester, whether it is Old Trafford or Manchester City’s ground, it’s always tough. To get three points is big for Mikel Arteta.
Gary Neville believes Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City all have genuine cases to be Premier League title contenders this season
“The Manchester United players look dejected. They are on the floor but if they keep up this level of performance, which is the big question, they will win a lot of points this season.
“I thought they did a fair few decent things out there but Arsenal were strong, and that set piece in the first half was the big difference in the game.”
Amorim: The most important thing – we weren’t boring
Ruben Amorim to Sky Sports: “I’m really proud of the guys. They were really brave in everything they did during the game.
“Congratulations for the performance, but not congratulations [for the result] because we lost the game at home. We clearly deserved a different result and we need to move forward to the next one.
“We were more aggressive than last year, we sprinted more, we were braver, we went one against one for the whole game and we pressed high.
Neville is adamant Manchester United need to sign a new goalkeeper in summer transfer window
“With the ball, we have quality, even when the stadium makes some sound, we continued to play the way we play. We lost fewer balls in the build-up compared to last year, when we struggled a lot.
“Then the small things that we talk about in the beginning of this season when players like Cunha and Bryan can elevate the stadium in one moment. The most important thing – we weren’t boring.
“We need to win games but that was a completely different game to last season.”
Keane: Encouragement from new signings, but Man Utd problems still there
Speaking on Super Sunday, Roy Keane and Micah Richards row about Bayindir’s involvement for Arsenal’s winning goal against Manchester United
Roy Keane on Super Sunday: “It’s an important start for them [Arsenal] with the other teams doing so well over the weekend.
“It wasn’t great in the second half, it lacked quality, especially from Arsenal’s point of view, but you take the win on the first day of the season and move on.
“The expectations at United now are so low, that even Gary said on commentary, everyone is okay with a 1-0 defeat. They’ve got to do better.
“It does worry me. Some of the new signings, there was encouragement with that. They were getting you up the pitch with a bit of power.
“Things will improve, it’s tough against Arsenal, but no goals and another defeat. There’s still problems there with Manchester United.”
Arteta: Our defence was phenomenal
Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: “Massive win. To go in the first fixture at Old Trafford with that atmosphere, the way they are building momentum, with new signings and excitement around it, it’s a great feeling, and then we have to be really humble about the way we did it.
“And we did it – one – because of the way we reacted to mistakes and – two – unfortunate mistakes and mistakes that are very far from the standards that we normally have, and we constantly reacted to that. And that’s the reason why we had opportunity to win again.
Viktor Gyoekeres made his Arsenal debut at Old Trafford
“You’re talking about character and spirit, that’s it. I can make a mistake. How do I react to that? In open spaces, we should have killed them.
“The way everybody tried, the defence was phenomenal.”