Premier League: Arsenal grind out opening win at Man Utd despite rusty display
Arsenal began their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Manchester United, but questions remain over their new-look attack. Riccardo Calafiori’s set-piece strike proved decisive, though Mikel Arteta admitted his side were far from their best.
United dominated possession (61%) and fired 22 shots, exposing defensive gaps as Arsenal struggled to control the game.
New striker Viktor Gyokeres, signed for £64m, had no shots: his first league game without one since April 2023 and looked short of sharpness.
Arteta acknowledged the Swede’s pressing needs work, while pundits urged patience as he adapts to Arsenal’s system.
Midfield trio Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, and Martin Ødegaard also lacked cohesion in their first competitive start together.
Defensively, Calafiori’s attacking runs left space for United’s Bryan Mbeumo to exploit, keeping Arsenal under pressure.
Yet the Gunners’ set-piece mastery bailed them out their 31st corner goal since 2023, a league high.
Arteta will demand improvement in open play but take solace in grinding out an early win.
