Calafiori Capitalizes on Keeper Blunder to Hand Gunners Perfect Start at Old Trafford
Manchester United’s £200 million attacking revamp failed to deliver on its promise as Arsenal kicked off their Premier League title charge with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
The match turned on a 13th-minute howler from United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, whose weak punch from a Declan Rice corner gifted Riccardo Calafiori a simple headed winner. Despite flashes of promise from big-money signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United’s new-look attack couldn’t break down Arsenal’s resolute defense as the Gunners began their quest to go one better than last season’s runners-up finish.
Keeper Blunder Proves Costly
The decisive moment came early when Bayindir – deputizing for the injured Andre Onana – flapped unconvincingly at Rice’s inswinging corner. The Turkish international’s mistake left summer signing Calafiori with an open net to nod home, sending the traveling Arsenal fans into raptures.
United showed signs of life before halftime when Patrick Dorgu rattled the post with a thunderous long-range effort, but Mbeumo and Cunha failed to truly test David Raya in the Arsenal goal. Substitute Benjamin Sesko, who turned down Newcastle to join United, entered to a rousing reception but couldn’t inspire an equalizer against the club that had tracked him for over a year.
Arteta’s Pragmatic Approach Pays Off
While far from their free-flowing best, Arsenal demonstrated the defensive solidity that has become their hallmark under Mikel Arteta. The Spanish manager – under pressure to deliver the club’s first title since 2004 – saw his backline expertly marshalled by the ever-reliable Gabriel and William Saliba partnership.
Raya produced several key saves, most notably a spectacular stop to deny Mbeumo’s powerful header late on. The result sees Arsenal keep pace with fellow title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City, while raising familiar questions about United’s cutting edge after they managed just 44 league goals last season.
Despite the defeat, there were positives for new United manager Ruben Amorim to build on, with Cunha and Mbeumo showing glimpses of the threat that convinced the club to invest heavily in their attack. But as the Old Trafford faithful filed out, it was Arsenal’s traveling supporters who were singing loudest – their team having taken an early psychological advantage in what promises to be another grueling title race.
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