This past Sunday, Arsenal snatched a slender 1-0 away victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, sealing their Premier League season opener, which was broadcast live via DStv on SuperSport channels 202–206, through a momentary lapse rather than an expansive display.
Against the backdrop of a remodelled United side under Ruben Amorim and hundreds of millions spent on new faces, Arsenal relied on their enduring strength of steely set-piece routines, squad depth, and defensive resilience to get a 3-point PL opener. In a heavyweight clash defined by intensity and marginal moments, Arteta’s Gunners reminded us why they remain among the title favourites. The solitary goal arrived early, just 13 minutes in, courtesy of an Arsenal corner whipped in by Declan Rice. United keeper Altay Bayindir, under pressure from William Saliba, misjudged the ball entirely; by the time he flapped at it, Riccardo Calafiori was the simplest of addresses at the back post.
For much of the game, it was United on the front foot. They opened the match with ferocious energy and held 75% of possession in the first ten minutes, where Arsenal completed only nine passes, their fewest in a similar stretch since 2022. Despite peppering Arsenal’s goal with 22 shots, their xG remained modest and wasteful. Arsenal’s defensive spine, the sturdy pairing of Saliba and Gabriel (and the assured David Raya between the sticks), stood firm. Raya produced two key saves, tipping over a header from Bryan Mbeumo among moments of sustained pressure. Viktor Gyökeres, the high-fee debutant, struggled to impose himself, completing just four of nine passes and matching a debut without a shot, an unfamiliar shortfall for a player with a prolific scoring record at Sporting.
Substitutions also underlined Arsenal’s growing depth. Mikel Arteta called on options such as Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Timber, Merino, and £52m recruit Noni Madueke to help hold firm late on.
United manager Ruben Amorim struck a balanced tone in defeat: optimistic about his side’s energy and pressing, though vocal about Bayindir’s error and the need to match Arsenal’s physical intensity, especially on set pieces. Arteta, for his part, admitted relief, “When you’re not at your standards in certain aspects … being fair, we weren’t today … we can still come away and find a way to win the game.” This he said, recognizing United as the better side on the day but praising Arsenal’s ability to react to mistakes and grind out the result.
Arsenal may not have dazzled at Old Trafford, but they drew first blood. And with their depth, resilience, and set-piece prowess, they’ve laid a quiet yet potent marker in the title race. Hopefully
0 Comments