Arsenal Edge Man United 1-0 at Old Trafford as Calafiori Punishes Bayindir Error
Arsenal kicked off their Premier League title chase with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s first-half goal.
The Italian left-back pounced on a huge mistake by United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who failed to deal with a Declan Rice corner in the 13th minute, gifting Arsenal the lead.
United’s £200m Attack Misfires
Manchester United’s expensively assembled forward line—Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and substitute Benjamin Sesko—failed to find the net despite lively debuts. United, who spent over £200 million ($271m) this summer, still struggled with the same scoring problems that haunted them last season.
Ruben Amorim’s side showed energy, with Cunha and Mbeumo unsettling Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba early on, but poor finishing and Arsenal’s defensive resilience left them empty-handed.
Arsenal Dig Deep for Three Points
Despite being second-best in attack, Arsenal leaned on their defensive stability and goalkeeper David Raya, who made key saves to deny Cunha and Mbeumo. Patrick Dorgu came closest for United, rattling the post with a thunderous strike before halftime.
New striker Viktor Gyokeres endured a quiet debut for the Gunners before being replaced by Kai Havertz, while Sesko’s late cameo for United couldn’t turn the tide.
Pressure Mounts on Both Clubs
After finishing second for three consecutive seasons, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces immense pressure to deliver the club’s first Premier League title since 2004.
For United, last season’s 15th-place finish—their worst in 51 years— continues to cast a shadow despite the optimism of new signings. With just 44 league goals in the previous campaign, Amorim’s men must find a finishing touch quickly if they are to compete.
