Arsenal began their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

This was their fourth successive opening-day triumph and third win in 18 top-flight visits to the Theatre of Dreams.

Manchester United entered the clash desperate to banish memories of their worst-ever Premier League season, while Arsenal set out on another title push.

Motivated by buoyant Stretford End, the host started brightly, moving the ball with purpose but failed to test David Raya. At the other end, Altay Bayındır, starting in place of the absent André Onana, endured a nightmare moment when he flapped at Declan Rice’s in swinging corner, allowing Riccardo Calafiori to nod home at the back post.

That strike meant Arsenal have now scored in 12 consecutive league visits to Old Trafford, and it gave Mikel Arteta’s men the platform to settle into the contest.

MManchester United responded through summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, the latter striking the base of the post, while Matheus Cunha twice forced Raya into action before the break.

The pattern continued in the second half, with United showing plenty of energy but struggling to carve out clear openings. Cunha’s driving runs caused problems, and Mbeumo went close with an audacious overhead effort before later drawing a superb save from Raya, whose reflex stop denied the Cameroonian a debut goal.

Arsenal weathered the storm and tightened their grip in the closing stages, frustrating the home side with disciplined defensive play. The Gunners have now extended their unbeaten away run in the league to 15 matches, starting their centenary top-flight campaign perfectly.

For Rúben Amorim’s side, it was a performance that showed far more cohesion than much of last season, but their struggles in front of goal remain evident. Manchester United now failed to score in four of their last five Premier League home games.