Key stats
- No manager has a better win record against Man Utd in the Premier League (excluding those who managed four or fewer games) than Arsenal's Mikel Arteta's 67%
- Ruben Amorim suffered his 15th defeat in his 28th Premier League game as Manchester United manager (W7 D6)
- This is the fastest a manager has reached 15 defeats in the competition, without taking charge of a newly promoted team in that period, since Paul Hart with Portsmouth in 2009
Highlights
Match Report
Hope filled the air at a sun-kissed Old Trafford, with the hosts desperate to put their worst season of the PL era behind them while Arsenal set out on yet another title chase.
Roared on by the Stretford End, it was United who flew out of the traps, stringing together some promising moves, albeit without threatening David Raya.
At the other end, Turkish international Altay Bayındır – deputising for André Onana – spectacularly failed his first test of the campaign, as he could only flap at Declan Rice’s inswinging corner. That error redirected the ball to the back post, where Riccardo Calafiori nodded home from point-blank range to put the Gunners ahead.
That marked the 12th successive league trip to Old Trafford in which Arsenal have scored, and the goal helped Mikel Arteta’s men settle into the contest. Further chances came at a premium, but once the hosts found their feet, they showcased the danger they possess.
One of several high-profile summer acquisitions, United winger Bryan Mbeumo saw an effort deflected wide before Patrick Dorgu rifled a low drive against the base of the post, while Mbeumo’s fellow new boy Matheus Cunha forced Raya into a pair of saves, as the visitors held on to preserve their slender lead at the break.
The game followed a similar pattern after the restart, with United showing plenty of promise but not yielding clear-cut chances to show for their efforts.
Cunha and Mbeumo continued to lead the charge, with the latter directing an improvised bicycle kick wide of the target after an incredible drive forward from Cunha.
Mbeumo came much closer with a bullet header from a deflected Dorgu cross on 74 minutes, but Raya leapt across his line to make a terrific save and deny the Cameroonian a debut goal.
United’s pressure dissipated in the final 10 minutes as Arsenal gained a foothold on proceedings, and their astute defensive work meant that the hosts were unable to salvage anything from this contest.
With the Gunners’ 100th successive top-flight campaign off to a winning start, they have now extended their unbeaten away run in the league to 15 matches.
As for Ruben Amorim’s men, this performance compared favourably to much of last season, despite them failing to score for the fourth time in five PL home games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)
Post-match comments
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya told Sky Sports: "The quality wasn't there. We weren't on our best day with the ball.
"Defensively, we weren't at our best, so that was a hard fight. We got our goal in the first half with a corner, and from there we just fought until the end.
"Credit to the boys for getting the clean sheet. We know we could have lost the game, but football is like this. Days like this is when the three points count."
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes speaking to Sky Sports: "It's the first game of the season, so we cannot speak about a step forwards.
"We conceded a goal from a set piece early on, but from then on, Arsenal didn't create any chances. We created lots of chances and didn't score, so we have to do better next time.
"We controlled the game well, we were good on the ball. We created some chances, but we didn't score, so that is the main negative of the day."
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim to Sky Sports: "The most important thing - we were not boring!
“We were more aggressive than last year. We sprinted more. We were more brave. We lost fewer balls in the build-up compared to last year. And then the small things we talk about in the beginning of the season.
"Players like (Matheus) Cunha and Bryan (Mbeumo) can elevate the stadium."