Arsenal defeat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on 17 August 2025 in the Premier League’s opening round. Riccardo Calafiori headed in the winner from close range in the 13th minute after Altay Bayındır misjudged Declan Rice’s corner. David Raya and a well-organised back line then protected the lead as Mikel Arteta’s side ground out the result.
United’s revamped attack—Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha started, with Benjamin Šeško introduced in the second half—couldn’t find a response. Patrick Dorgu struck the post before the break, while Raya denied further efforts from Mbeumo and Cunha. The victory keeps Arsenal aligned with early title rivals who also won on the opening weekend.
What’s To Come from This Season
After three consecutive second-place finishes, pressure remains on Arteta to convert strong starts into a first league title since 2003–04, as noted by Al Jazeera. For United, the opener followed a difficult 2024/25 campaign that ended 15th—their lowest league finish in 35 years—with 42 points, and no European football this season after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham in May.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Ruben Amorim said, “we were not boring,” highlighting a more aggressive approach.
United visit Fulham on 24 August before a Carabao Cup trip to Grimsby on 27 August.
Response
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said the team must be more clinical after creating chances.
Arsenal’s Calafiori credited set-piece work for the breakthrough, telling reports his side “were working a lot on our set pieces,”.
Arsenal defeat Manchester United sets an early tone, yet both clubs signalled there’s more to come.
