Key Takeaways:
- Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League opener
- Riccardo Calafiori scored the only goal after an error by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir
- Manchester United hit the post and registered 21 shots but could not equalise
Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in the headline fixture of the Premier League’s first round. The Red Devils dominated the match, sending 21 shots towards David Raya’s goal, but the Gunners took all three points with a single goal from Riccardo Calafiori in the 13th minute after a costly error from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Riccardo Calafiori's first-half header is enough as Arsenal edge past Manchester United in a nervy affair at Old Trafford! 👀 pic.twitter.com/FpopTk1GmE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
In the seventh minute, Bryan Mbeumo tried his luck from a narrow angle, but David Raya dealt with the shot calmly. Six minutes later, Arsenal opened the scoring. Although Manchester United had been the more active team early on, Declan Rice delivered a corner, Bayindir came under pressure from William Saliba and failed to clear, leaving Calafiori to head in from point blank range.
The Red Devils nearly found an equaliser in the 30th minute when Patrick Dorgu was left alone on the left and advanced to fire a shot that struck the left post. Just four minutes later, Mateus Cunha took a shot from 20 metres, which was saved by Raya. Arsenal responded with an effort from Martin Odegaard.
Manchester United kept searching for a leveller and in the 39th minute, Raya saved a shot from Cunha after the forward beat Ben White.
The second half started with play mostly in the centre of the field and neither team created clear chances in the opening stages. Rice sent a shot wide from the edge of the box in the 60th minute. Five minutes later, Ruben Amorim brought on Benjamin Sesko for his Manchester United debut following his move from RB Leipzig.
In the 69th minute, Cunha made a dangerous run, creating confusion in the Arsenal defence. Saliba and Gabriel managed to clear, but United still found another attempt with an acrobatic strike from Mbeumo, which was off target.
Five minutes later, Dorgu’s cross from the left found Mbeumo, who rose and headed powerfully, but Raya preserved the lead with another save. Manchester United pushed hard for an equaliser in the final stages, but Arsenal’s defence stood firm and managed to see out the win.
In the second round, United will visit Fulham, while Arsenal will play host to Leeds.
