Manchester United delivered a stronger performance than many expected last season, while Arsenal struggled even more at the start of the new campaign. However, the North London club has proven time and again that they often find ways to win, even in tough situations.

This was evident during the first significant derby of the new Premier League season, where the Gunners secured a victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford (1:0) with a goal from Riccardo Calafiori, signaling their championship ambitions for the season.

The decisive action unfolded in the 13th minute when Declan Rice took a corner kick, which Altaj Bayindir misjudged, potentially being impeded by William Saliba. Subsequently, Riccardo Calafiori netted Arsenal’s first goal of the season.

This derby will also be remembered for the debuts of Viktor Djekeres and Martin Zubimendi on one side, and Mateusz Cunha, Brian Mbaeum, and Benjamin Šešek on the other. It seems the new Arsenal player, who has been impressive at Sporting in recent seasons, was the standout in an otherwise lackluster match.

“We demonstrated our resilience and our desire to win. This stadium often knows how to put you under pressure; you must endure tough moments. But finding a way to win at Old Trafford brings great satisfaction,” stated Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s coach.

The first half wasn’t particularly thrilling, though a notable attempt from Patrick Dorgu stood out. The player, who had previously played alongside Nikola Krstović in Lecce until January, unleashed a powerful shot that hit the post.

The home side appeared more threatening in the second half, particularly through Mbeum, as they pushed forward and created chances. However, it seemed that Arsenal’s defense was too sturdy and organized to break down, suggesting that the match could have extended beyond 90 minutes.

“It’s tough because I believe we were the stronger team today. We presented more than Arsenal, but we must find a way to secure the victory,” remarked Ruben Amorim, United’s head of football.

With one match remaining in the first round, Leeds is set to host Everton tomorrow at 1 PM. Notably, the three main title contenders—Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City—began the season with wins, alongside Tottenham, another team in the broader title picture.

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