Arsenal began their Premier League title charge with a 1-0 win against Manchester United, thanks to a first-half goal from Riccardo Calafiori. But Mikel Arteta's men were put under immense pressure from their hosts, who will be disappointed to come away from the game empty-handed.
Despite Benjamin Sesko only being named on the bench and Rasmus Hojlund being omitted from the squad, Ruben Amorim's front three caused early problems. The Red Devils had the first chance of the tie when Mason Mount played new signing Bryan Mbeumo through, but he could only produce a soft strike straight at David Raya.
But, despite their endeavor, it was the visitors who took the lead 13 minutes into the tie. Declan Rice whipped in a devilish corner, which Altay Bayindir could only flap at, as Calafiori nodded home from close range.
The United of 2024/25 might well have capitulated after that, but instead, they rallied. Mbeumo saw another shot saved by Raya after Casemiro won the ball back and sent him on his way. And Patrick Dorgu was then unlucky to only strike the post after Bruno Fernandes played him through down the left flank.
Arsenal centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel looked shaky at points in the first half, and were caught out when Matheus Cunha skipped past them and beared down on goal. However, Raya was once again equal to his effort.
The Spanish shot-stopper then produced a fantastic save to deny the Brazilian again late in the half. Cunha, having wriggled away from Declan Rice, flashed a shot across the penalty area, with Raya needing to get down quickly to tip it past the far post.
United came out after half-time looking just as lively, but neither they nor Arsenal could break down their counterpart's defence. Raya needed to punch a Fernandes free-kick away from danger. At the other end, Rice fired an effort from range well off target.
The hosts came close to an equaliser after Cunha span away from Ben White. Picking out Mebumo with a pass, his United teammate saw his shot smothered by defenders, before he then sent a bicycle kick just wide of the post.
Arsenal were pinned back for much of the second half, but even with the introduction of Benjamin Sesko, the Red Devils could not find a breakthrough. The Gunners then had a chance late on when the ball fell to Bukayo Saka, but Matthijs de Ligt was there to block his shot.
In the end, the visitors clung on to secure their first three points of the season. But United will take encouragement from their performance and will hope for a better result in their next match against Fulham.
Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal Statistics
Manchester United
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7
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Match Highlights
Full match highlights to follow.
Manchester United Ratings
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Premier League - Manchester United v Arsenal - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - August 17, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
GK - Altay Bayindir - 3/10
Good distribution, but was not strong enough to get out to stop the corner for Calafiori's goal. With Andre Onana also prone to an error, United have a big question to answer between the sticks.
CB - Leny Yoro - 6/10
Solid at right centre-back, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke not getting the better of Yoro. Supporters will hope he can stay fit this term, as they look so much better with him in the team.
CB - Matthijs de Ligt - 6/10
Marshalled Gyokeres well in early moments, limiting the Swede's influence, and then did the same when Kai Havertz was introduced. Made a good block to deny Saka late on.
CB - Luke Shaw - 6/10
An assured performance, as the England international made some nice tackles to keep Arsenal's right side quiet. Tiredness eventually caught up with him, but he could be a good option as a left-sided centre-back this season.
RWB - Diogo Dalot - 5/10
Not as active as Dorgu, but was accurate with his passing and decent at the back. Brought off for Amad Diallo less than 10 minutes into the second half.
LWB - Patrick Dorgu - 7/10
Produced a speculative long-range effort well wide, but was then unlucky to strike the post with a good effort.
CM - Casemiro - 6/10
Despite questions about his place in the team after United's pre-season friendly against Fiorentina, Casemiro had a decent game. Broke up Arsenal attacks when necessary, and produced a good pass to send Mbeumo away.
CM - Bruno Fernandes - 6/10
Pulled the strings well from deep and solid defensively. Nearly got his first assist of the season when he won the ball back and played Dorgu through for his chance in the first half.
AM - Bryan Mbeumo - 7/10
A real live wire for United, with many of their attacks going through him. Had a couple of chances, and could have opened his account for the club after Cunha played him through in the second half. Also worked hard out of possession.
AM - Mason Mount - 6/10
Played some excellent passes for Mbeumo and Cunha and helped out defensively, making a great tackle on Saka to deny the Arsenal man on the counter-attack. Influence on the game did dwindle.
ST - Matheus Cunha - 8/10
Was asked to be United's focal point, and although he started slowly, he grew into the game. Could have done better after breaking through Arsenal's defence, but was unlucky not to score late in the first half. Worked tirelessly out of possession, giving United fans cause for optimism moving forward.
SUB - Harry Maguire - 5/10
Came on with just over 10 minutes to play after Shaw tired and kept his side ticking over.
SUB - Manuel Ugarte - 5/10
With United dominating the ball after his introduction, Ugarte didn't manage to show off his ball-winning ability. Didn't offer much in possession, firing a shot way off target late on.
SUB - Amad Diallo - 7/10
Came on for Dalot 10 minutes into the second half, and looked really sharp on the right. Some neat dribbling and touches as an attacking wing-back, which will bode well as United's new introductions gel further.
SUB - Benjamin Sesko - 4/10
United's new man was given 25 minutes to affect the game, but Sesko didn't really get involved - no doubt because of how new he is to the club and Amorim's tactics. With time, supporters will hope to see the best of the former RB Leipzig forward.
SUB - Joshua Zirkzee -
Arsenal Player Ratings
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard in action with Manchester United's Casemiro
Premier League - Manchester United v Arsenal - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - August 17, 2025 Arsenal's Martin Odegaard in action with Manchester United's Casemiro Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
GK - David Raya - 9/10 - Player of the Match
Did have a moment in the first half where Cunha seemingly caught him out in the penalty area, but Raya was equal to everything that came his way. His later save to deny the aforementioned United man was superb, and his dive to the left to keep Mbeumo's header out in the second was just as vital. The Spaniard was easily the most composed player in his team at the Theatre of Dreams, and were it not for him, there's a good chance that they would be travelling back to London with no points, let alone three.
RB - Ben White - 6/10
Got an important touch on the ball to nick it away from Fernandes in the penalty area late in the first half. Forced off with an injury in the second after being spun by Cunha.
CB - William Saliba - 6/10
Not his most settled performance. Saliba made a clumsy challenge on Dorgu early on, and looked jittery when United's attackers drove forward. Did play his part in Calfiori's goal, though.
CB - Gabriel - 5/10
Was nearly caught out when Matheus Cunha ran through on goal in the first half. Like Saliba, it wasn't Gabriel's best performance, but he still helped his side keep a clean sheet.
LB - Riccardo Calafiori - 7/10
Worked hard in attack, winning the ball back early in United's penalty area which ultimately led to the corner he scored from. But the Italian didn't deal especially well with Mbeumo, getting a yellow card for a clumsy challenge.
CM - Martin Zubimendi - 5/10
Making his Premier League debut, Zubimendi seemed to struggle with the pace of the game early on. He grew into it, dropping between CBs and dictating play, but couldn't strut his stuff on the ball as Arsenal didn't have much of it in the second half.
CM - Declan Rice - 6/10
Great delivery on corner for the opening goal. He wasn't his typical enforcer-self when out of possession, but was largely untroubled despite United's possession.
CM - Martin Odegaard - 7/10
Arsenal's skipper brought calm to his side after a difficult opening quarter of an hour, and helped drive them forward with some good dribbles and neat touches. Didn't have many opportunities to attack after the interval.
RW - Bukayo Saka - 4/10
Saka was kept really quiet by United's backline, who stopped him from cutting in onto his favoured left foot. Some bright moments in the first half, but really didn't make much impact in the second. Had a chance to put the game out of reach in added time, which De Ligt blocked.
ST - Viktor Gyokeres - 3/10
Not the Premier League debut he would have dreamt of. Gyokeres didn't see much of the ball, but he also struggled to do much against United's defenders. In the first half, he fell behind Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli when Arsenal broke at speed. And after the interval, he then produced a poor touch after being played down the left by Odegaard. Was substituted without getting a single shot off.
LW - Gabriel Martinelli - 3/10
Had a poor effort at Bayindir easily saved in the first half after being picked out by Saka, but that was as much as he contributed. His performance was summarised by a missed scissor kick attempt in the first half.
SUB - Jurrien Timber - 6/10
Provided fresh legs after coming on, looking assured. Likely to be in from the off in Arsenal's next match if White's injury is severe.
SUB - Myles Lewis-Skelly - 5/10
Some eyebrows were raised as to why he didn't start, but he looked decent after coming on, despite Diallo driving at him. Forced to make a foul late on after miscontrolling a pass, with United potentially through if he didn't.
SUB - Mikel Merino - N/A
Brought on with just seven minutes of normal time remaining. Helped his side hold on for an important win.
SUB - Noni Madueke - 4/10
Like Gyokeres, Madueke's Arsenal debut wasn't the best. The former Chelsea winger never really got going on the left and will be hoping for better next week.
SUB - Kai Havertz - 4/10
Looked more assured than Gyokeres after he came on, but not by much. Havertz was dealt with effectively by the United backline.