Arsenal began their Premier League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, capitalising on a costly mistake from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
The Turkish shot-stopper, standing in for the injured Andre Onana, misjudged a ball that fell kindly for Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, who slotted home what proved to be the winner.
Despite the defeat, United’s new £200 million forward line offered glimpses of hope. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo impressed on debut, unsettling Arsenal’s usually solid pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, while substitute Benjamin Sesko also tested the Gunners’ backline.
Manager Ruben Amorim remained upbeat after the match, praising his players for their bravery and intensity. “We were aggressive, pressed high, and showed quality with the ball,” he told Sky Sports. “We deserved a different result, but I’m proud of the performance.”
Arsenal, who have finished runners-up for three consecutive seasons, showed resilience to grind out the win. However, United fans inside Old Trafford, scarred by last season’s disappointing 15th-place finish, found encouragement in the energy and cohesion of their new-look attack.
For Amorim’s men, the challenge remains turning promise into points, while Arsenal continue their pursuit of a long-awaited Premier League crown.
