Arsenal’s defense wins it – Raya, Saliba, and Gabriel stood firm under pressure. Bayindir’s howler costs United. Gyokeres vs. Sesko? – Neither striker impressed, but it’s early days
Ruben Amorim suffered his 15th defeat in his 28th Premier League game as #MUFC 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 (27… pic.twitter.com/4lsiyvaNw6
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 17, 2025
- Altay Bayindir’s blunder gifted Arsenal an early lead, leaving United chasing the game.
- “David Raya’s commanding performance (9/10) kept Arsenal ahead with crucial saves.
- Bruno Fernandes (8/10) pulled the strings for United, but Arsenal’s defense held firm.
- Gyokeres (5/10) struggled on debut, while Sesko (5/10) had limited impact off the bench.
- Substitute Amad Diallo (8/10) injected energy, but Arsenal’s resilience secured three points.
Match Recap & Player Ratings
Manchester United and Arsenal kicked off their Premier League campaigns in a tightly contested battle at Old Trafford, with Mikel Arteta’s side emerging 1-0 winners thanks to an early Riccardo Calafiori header. Despite United’s second-half dominance, Arsenal’s defense and David Raya’s heroics ensured they left with all three points.
Manchester United (3-4-2-1)
Altay Bayindir (1/10) – A nightmare start. Flapped at a corner, allowing Calafiori to nod in from close range. A performance that will intensify calls for a new goalkeeper.
Leny Yoro (6/10) – Solid debut. Composed on the ball and dealt well with Arsenal’s attacks.
Matthijs de Ligt (7/10) – Physically dominant against Gyokeres and Havertz. A rock at the back.
Diogo Dalot (6/10) – Defensively sound but substituted early for Amad Diallo as United chased the game.
Casemiro (7/10) – Controlled midfield battles and distributed well. Proved he still has plenty to offer.
Bruno Fernandes (8/10) – United’s best player. Dictated play with incisive passes and nearly inspired a comeback.
Patrick Dorgu (7/10) – Lively down the left, hitting the post in the first half. Needs to refine his final ball.
Bryan Mbeumo (8/10) – A constant threat. Forced Raya into a stunning save with a powerful header.
Matheus Cunha (8/10) – Silky touches and clever link-up play. A promising debut despite lacking clear chances.
Mason Mount (7/10) – Worked hard in midfield but faded as Arsenal tightened up.
Substitutes:
- Amad Diallo (8/10) – Instant impact. His direct running caused problems for Arsenal’s tired defense.
- Benjamin Sesko (5/10) – Isolated up front. Needs time to adapt to United’s system.
- Manuel Ugarte (5/10) – Recycled possession but gave the ball away dangerously once.
- Harry Maguire (5/10) – Booked immediately after coming on to stop a counter.
Arsenal (4-3-3)
David Raya (9/10) ★ MOTM – Commanding in the box and made a crucial save from Mbeumo’s header. A flawless display.
Ben White (7/10) – Reliable defensively but subbed off early with a knock.
William Saliba (7/10) – Lucky to escape an early booking but used his pace well to nullify Cunha.
Gabriel (7/10) – Handled Sesko’s physicality comfortably in the closing stages.
Riccardo Calafiori (8/10) – Scored the winner and was solid defensively. A dream debut.
Martin Ødegaard (7/10) – Pulled the strings in the first half but quiet after the break.
Martin Zubimendi (7/10) – Efficient in midfield. A quiet but effective performance.
Declan Rice (6/10) – Delivered the corner for the goal and worked hard defensively.
Bukayo Saka (4/10) – Anonymous. Struggled to influence the game.
Viktor Gyokeres (5/10) – A tough debut. Bullish but lacked service and was replaced early.
Gabriel Martinelli (4/10) – Ineffective. Arsenal need more from him this season.
Substitutes:
- Kai Havertz (5/10) – Isolated up top after replacing Gyokeres.
- Noni Madueke (5/10) – Barely involved in his cameo.
- Jurriën Timber (7/10) – Strong defensively after coming on.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10) – Nervy late moment but took a tactical yellow to stop a counter.
Key Takeaways
✅ Arsenal’s Defense Wins It – Raya, Saliba, and Gabriel stood firm under pressure.
❌ Bayindir’s Howler Costs United – A new goalkeeper must be a priority.
🔥 Amad Diallo’s Impact – The Ivorian winger changed the game and deserves more minutes.
🤔 Gyokeres vs. Sesko? – Neither striker impressed, but it’s early days.