Arsenal start season with win at Old Trafford

Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 as Calafiori scored and the defence held firm while new signings integrated with the squad.

Arsenal start season with win at Old Trafford

Arsenal opened the 2025/26 season with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s goal. United mounted heavy pressure, firing 22 shots and forcing seven saves from David Raya, but Arsenal’s back line stood tall and blocked several attempts to keep a clean sheet. The win came from a set-piece moment and a disciplined defensive display that absorbed the hosts’ intensity.

Odegaard was the focal point in midfield, registering 63 touches and the most passes in the final third (25). His influence helped Arsenal survive the early goal threat and create small pockets of threat from transitions. The team still faced moments of nervy play in possession, but the willingness to hunt transitions produced occasional danger and a path to victory. A key developing pattern was set-piece reliance; Rice’s inswinging cross found Calafiori at the back post and Gabriel Martinelli’s late movement from the edge created the decisive moment as Saliba and Calafiori combined to ensure the ball hit the net.

The result is a cautious banner for Arsenal. The game demanded a pragmatic plan and the players delivered, showing resilience more than seamless fluency. The numbers suggest a shift toward quick transitions rather than sustained control, with 28.3 percent of Arsenal’s transitions reaching the final third. That approach will need refinement as opponents press higher, but it also highlights a pathway for the team to grow under pressure.

Calafiori’s bold attacking presence adds a new variable to Arsenal’s play. His willingness to push high and occupy space created chaos for United and a reliable channel for set-piece outcomes. At the same time, Raya’s saves and command give Arteta a sense of security that can enable riskier choices in future games. The balance between attack and defence remains delicate, and the coaching staff will be watching how the new players gel while keeping the core structure intact.

Highlights

A single win can set the tone, but the season will test Arsenal’s consistency across a tougher run of fixtures.