Calafiori Strike Gives Arsenal Winning Start Against Manchester United

‎Arsenal kicked off their 100th successive top-flight campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

‎The result secured a fourth successive opening-day triumph in the Premier League but also marked their third league win in 18 visits to the Theatre of Dreams.

‎Bright Start in the Sunshine

‎On a sunlit evening in Manchester, the stage was set for two sides with contrasting ambitions.

‎United, fresh from their worst Premier League season in history, were desperate to begin a new chapter under Ruben Amorim. Arsenal, meanwhile, arrived with renewed hope of ending their two-decade wait for a league title.

‎United started on the front foot, playing the ball around and probing Arsenal’s defense.

‎However, despite their early energy, David Raya remained largely untroubled in the Arsenal goal.

‎Then came the decisive moment. Standing in for the absent André Onana, Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayındır endured a nightmare start.

‎Declan Rice whipped in an inswinging corner that Bayındır completely misjudged, flapping helplessly at the ball. His error left Riccardo Calafiori with a simple task at the back post, and the Italian debutant nodded home to give the Gunners a priceless lead.

‎United Fight Back

‎That strike ensured Arsenal continued an impressive streak: they have scored in 12 consecutive league visits to Old Trafford.

‎More importantly, it allowed Mikel Arteta’s men to settle into their rhythm. For long spells, however, it was United who looked the more threatening side.

‎New summer signing Bryan Mbeumo looked lively, seeing one shot deflected wide, while young left-back Patrick Dorgu rattled the base of the post with a powerful drive. Matheus Cunha, another fresh arrival, forced Raya into two solid stops as Arsenal held their ground until the interval.

‎The Second-Half Struggle

‎The flow of the game remained largely unchanged after the break. United’s summer reinforcements continued to ask questions, with Cunha’s relentless energy and Mbeumo’s dynamism pushing Arsenal’s defense to its limits.

‎One of the game’s highlights came when Cunha drove through midfield and released Mbeumo, who attempted an audacious bicycle kick that flew just wide.

‎The Cameroonian winger came even closer on 74 minutes. Rising high to meet a deflected cross from Dorgu, he powered a bullet header towards goal, only to be denied by a stunning reflex save from Raya.

‎Arsenal Hold Firm

‎As the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes, United’s intensity faded. Arsenal, showing the kind of composure and defensive maturity that deserted them in key moments last season, closed ranks and saw out the game with authority.

‎Gabriel and William Saliba hold the backline superbly, while Declan Rice anchored the midfield with assurance.

‎Arsenal’s win extended their unbeaten away run in the Premier League to 15 matches a statement of consistency that will fuel belief in their title credentials.

‎For United, there were positives despite the defeat. Amorim’s side looked sharper and more cohesive than in much of last season, with the new signings showing glimpses of real quality.