Arsenal kicked off their 2025–26 Premier League campaign with a gritty 1-0 win over Manchester United, thanks to a first-half goal from summer signing Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italian defender marked his league debut for the Gunners with a crucial header that silenced the home crowd and secured all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The decisive moment came in the 13th minute, when Declan Rice delivered a curling corner into the United box.
United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Calafiori to rise above the defense and power home a header from close range. It was a dream start for the 22-year-old, who joined from Bologna earlier in the summer.
Despite dominating possession for much of the match, Manchester United struggled to break down a well-drilled Arsenal defense.
William Saliba and Gabriel were rock solid at the heart of the backline, limiting the influence of United’s new-look attack that featured Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Erik ten Hag’s side showed flashes of creativity, but Arsenal’s compact shape and disciplined midfield left them frustrated in the final third. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes both had half-chances, but neither could find a way past David Raya, who kept a comfortable clean sheet.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised his side’s “maturity and resilience” after the match, saying:
“To come here, to Old Trafford, and play with that level of discipline is something to be proud of. It’s early in the season, but this is the kind of performance we want to build on.”
Arsenal also introduced striker Viktor Gyökeres in the second half, giving fans a glimpse of the Swedish forward’s physical presence, while United brought on youngsters and new signings in search of an equalizer.
The victory gives Arsenal an early psychological edge in the title race and lays down a marker for the season ahead. For United, the result is a setback, but with plenty of football left to play, Ten Hag will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.