Arsenal kicked off their latest Premier League campaign with a strong performance, defeating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. The win was attributed to a new set-piece routine developed by the coaching staff, showcasing Arsenal's continued evolution in tactics. This match marked an important step as Arsenal aims to improve on last season's performance in the title race.
Notable attendees included Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United, who watched his team without the returning goalkeeper Andre Onana and striker Rasmus Hojlund. Arsenal’s squad featured 15-year-old midfielder Max Dowman, who traveled with the team but was not included in the matchday lineup. In goal for United, Altay Bayindir started, but he was unable to prevent Riccardo Calafiori from scoring with a header from a Declan Rice corner just 13 minutes into the game.
Manchester United pushed back aggressively, with Patrick Dorgu hitting the post and David Raya making an impressive save to deny Matheus Cunha. Arsenal’s new signing, Viktor Gyokeres, who was acquired for an initial £55 million ($75 million) from Sporting CP, struggled to make a notable impact during his hour on the pitch. Conversely, United’s new striker Benjamin Sesko, brought in from RB Leipzig, appeared for the final 25 minutes of the match.
Despite United's attempts to equalize, including a header from Bryan Mbeumo that was saved by Raya, Arsenal held firm, maintaining their impressive record of being unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League away matches.
This season, Arsenal continues to showcase their creativity during set pieces. Since the appointment of specialist coach Nicolas Jover from Manchester City, no team in the Premier League has scored more goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, than Arsenal (71 goals since the 2021-22 season). Their innovative routine, involving five players positioned at the edge of the box before a corner, may not be entirely new, but it proved effective against United.
The initial trial of this tactic occurred during a pre-season match against Tottenham Hotspur, and its effectiveness was evident from the very first corner of the season. Runners Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Zubimendi created chaos in the center as the corner was delivered, allowing Calafiori to find space at the back post. This ability to exploit space has made Arsenal's set pieces a significant threat, particularly against teams like Manchester United.
In his debut match for Arsenal, Viktor Gyokeres demonstrated a commendable work rate, but his performance mirrored that of his pre-season outings, where he struggled with execution at key moments. Although he managed to give Arsenal an outlet when needed, his decision-making in crucial situations often fell short. As Arsenal adapted to the pace of the game, they relied heavily on David Raya, whose key saves ensured they secured the win and a clean sheet.
With Onana sidelined, Amorim opted to start Bayindir, whose two-year stint in England has been inconsistent. Critics have pointed out Bayindir's weaknesses, particularly in handling corners and his passing skills. The opening goal for Arsenal highlighted Bayindir’s struggles when he failed to assert himself against Saliba, allowing Calafiori to score. Former players like Gary Neville and Joe Hart emphasized the need for Bayindir to be more assertive to succeed as a Premier League goalkeeper.
Since Amorim's arrival, Manchester United has shown signs of improvement in their physical gameplay. In their season opener, United displayed better off-the-ball movement and timing, resulting in more successful duels in midfield. This increased intensity not only helped them defensively but also created transitional opportunities that nearly resulted in goals.
Substituted in during the second half, Benjamin Sesko quickly made an impact. His ability to seek space and press from the front brought a new dynamic to United's attack. While he has some areas to improve, like his first touch and timing on crosses, his energetic playstyle is expected to pose challenges for Premier League defenders throughout the season.
As the teams move forward, Arsenal will prepare for their next match against Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday, August 23, while Manchester United will face Fulham away on Sunday, August 24. Both teams will be looking to build on their performances as the Premier League season unfolds.
