Calafiori capitalises on Bayindir’s error as resilient Arsenal edge past an improved Manchester United
Riccardo Calafiori’s close-range header delivered Arsenal a 1-0 opening-day victory at Old Trafford, the decisive moment arriving in the 13th minute when Altay Bayindir misjudged Declan Rice’s inswinging corner. The Manchester United goalkeeper got only a weak hand to a ball arcing under his crossbar and could only push it onto the Arsenal left-back, who nodded in from almost on the line.
That single lapse belied a markedly improved United display. Ruben Amorim’s side dominated territory and attempts, racking up 20 shots against the Gunners for the first time since August 2011, but David Raya’s excellence preserved the visitors’ clean sheet. The Arsenal goalkeeper thwarted a lively Matheus Cunha several times, produced a superb one-handed save to turn away Bryan Mbeumo before the break and somehow clawed out the forward’s second-half header, while Patrick Dorgu had earlier rattled the base of the post. Arsenal mustered little after the goal and registered no shot on target in the second half, yet they ground out a fifth win in six league meetings with United.
A set-piece sting and a goalkeeper's question United couldn't avoid