MANCHESTER, England — Altay Bayindir‘s Thirteenth-minute mistake gifted Riccardo Calafiori the one aim as Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United have been the higher aspect for lengthy durations. Nonetheless, regardless of handing full debuts to summer season signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha — earlier than introducing Benjamin Sesko for the ultimate 25 minutes — Ruben Amorim’s aspect failed to seek out the online.
Amorim admitted earlier than kickoff that goalkeeper André Onana was match sufficient to begin, however opted for Bayindir, and that call backfired as his mistake proved to be the essential second.
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Arsenal gave debuts of their very own to Martín Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres however by no means totally received into stride. Patrick Dorgu hit the publish within the first half whereas Cunha was repeatedly a menace, turning Ben White brilliantly at one level within the second half.
Amorim known as on Sesko to discover a approach again, however finally United got here up quick as Arsenal began their quest for a primary Premier League title since 2004 with a treasured win. — James Olley
Arsenal’s squad depth exhibits in win
One vital driver of Arsenal’s switch enterprise this summer season was to extend the squad depth obtainable to Mikel Arteta, and it was notable within the substitutions he made at Previous Trafford.
Kai Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been common starters final season, Jurriën Timber and Mikel Merino are robust choices, and Noni Madueke is a £52 million summer signing from Chelsea.
It makes a change from counting on fringe gamers Arteta maybe doesn’t solely belief, and the Gunners imagine they’re higher insulated now ought to an damage disaster befall them because it did final season.
Their second-half efficiency was extra of a rearguard motion than the rest, however the physicality they have been in a position to introduce off the bench helped keep their stage. The choice to pick out him forward of Lewis-Skelly at left again was one thing of a shock, however whereas Calafiori affected the sport in a approach Arteta in all probability did not anticipate, the defender appears to love scoring in Manchester.
Assume again to the very good aim he scored in opposition to Manchester City in September. — Olley
United grapple with similar goalkeeping points
Whether or not United want a brand new goalkeeper has been a subject of dialog all summer season. It isn’t going away, notably after Bayindir’s howler right here.
He received the nod in aim as a result of Onana has missed all of preseason with a hamstring damage. Onana is match once more however managed solely three full classes with the crew final week. Onana has hardly been convincing since his transfer from Ajax two years in the past. And if this was Bayindir’s large likelihood to impress, he fluffed his traces.
He received trapped on his line when Declan Rice‘s nook came to visit. Not robust sufficient to bully individuals out of the best way, he may solely flap on the ball, and Calafiori had the best of headers on the road.
United have tried to quiet discuss of a brand new goalkeeper previously 10 days. Membership sources have distanced themselves from a transfer for Gianluigi Donnarumma, although he’s available from Paris Saint-Germain. They did make a mortgage bid for Emiliano Martínez earlier in the summertime, however it was turned down by Aston Villa. There are nonetheless a few weeks left within the switch window.
United, although, insist that if there may be any extra money to spend, it’s more likely to go for a midfielder. Perhaps Bayindir’s mistake and persevering with doubts about Onana will persuade them {that a} goalkeeper ought to be the precedence. — Rob Dawson
Gyökeres has room for enchancment
There was an comprehensible concentrate on Gyökeres at Previous Trafford after his €73 million move from Sporting CP.
Many thought he would in the future signal for United, given his reference to Amorim in Portugal. However Arsenal made the transfer after months — if not years — of Gunners followers crying out for a medical middle ahead to take them one step additional and win a Premier League title.
No person ought to choose him after one recreation, however it’s nonetheless truthful to say there may be room for enchancment. Regardless of one or two harmful moments — and a tremendous first-half cross for Gabriel Martinelli — Gyökeres was substituted on the hour mark, having did not register a single shot at aim.
A part of that was all the way down to Arsenal’s conservative strategy, however early within the second half, Gyökeres discovered himself with house and an opportunity to bear down on aim. As an alternative, he fell over the ball and fouled Casemiro. Gyökeres ended with 21 touches and 4 passes accomplished out of 9.
He will certainly enhance. However the absence of a shot is a stunning anomaly. Within the earlier two Primeira Liga seasons with Sporting, he recorded at the very least one shot in all 66 video games performed. Gyökeres, 27, final did not register a shot in March 2024 in opposition to Atalanta within the UEFA Europa League. — Olley
1:12
Nicol: Do not choose Gyokeres or Sesko too shortly
Steve Nicol thinks a number of the criticism of Gyokeres and Sesko is a bit overblown after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Man United.
United improved however not sufficient
United misplaced once more at Previous Trafford underneath Amorim, however this was lots completely different from a few of these horrific defeats final season. Amorim promised followers a greater crew and — at the very least in Week 1 — he delivered. Cunha was brilliant and linked up properly with fellow summer season signing Mbeumo.
The three-4-3 system functioned properly, giving wing backs Diogo Dalot and Dorgu house down the flanks. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes even held their very own within the midfield battle in opposition to Rice, Zubimendi and Martin Ødegaard.
However tight video games are determined by tremendous margins, and United have been on the fallacious finish of them. Bayindir had barely something to do besides palm a nook proper onto Calafiori’s head. Amorim is not the sort to take too many positives from a defeat. This, although, ought to really feel like a step in the suitable course.
If United can again up this efficiency with wins over Fulham and Burnley forward of the derby in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on Sept. 14, there shall be renewed optimism round Previous Trafford. — Dawson
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Nicol nonetheless not satisfied of Man United’s entrance three
Steve Nicol believes Man United nonetheless have to do extra to attain objectives following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Writing on the wall for Højlund
United and Amorim couldn’t be sending a stronger message to Rasmus Højlund.
After the striker was an unused substitute within the ultimate summer season pleasant in opposition to Fiorentina, he wasn’t even on the bench in opposition to Arsenal. Joshua Zirkzee hasn’t been match sufficient to play in any respect in preseason, however he was nonetheless named within the matchday squad. It seems very very like Højlund’s time at Previous Trafford is up.
He is in a troublesome place. United is his dream membership, and he does not need to give it up and not using a battle. On the flip aspect, with the best way he has been dealt with previously week, it seems like he is not a part of Amorim’s plans. United need £40m for Højlund, however it’s extra doubtless that they’re going to have to just accept an preliminary mortgage with an possibility or obligation to make the transfer everlasting subsequent summer season.
There’s curiosity from AC Milan, and also you’d anticipate the Italian aspect to agency it up after seeing the 22-year-old sit within the stands watching his teammates face Arsenal.
In fact, Højlund would not be the primary participant to battle his approach again right into a supervisor’s ideas. However after being axed right here, will probably be a shock if he’s nonetheless a United participant on Sept. 2. — Dawson
