Since taking charge of Arsenal 5 years ago, Arteta has won 8 of 12 matches against Man Utd (2 draws, 2 losses), fewer victories only than against Wolves (9). Among managers who have faced Man Utd at least 5 times in the Premier League, the Spaniard boasts the highest win rate (67%).

"Before I arrived, Arsenal hadn't won at Old Trafford in 18 or 22 years," Arteta said after the match on 17/8. "Now, we’ve won the opening match here, but in the dressing room, the players still aren’t satisfied. That’s a positive sign."

Manager Mikel Arteta directs Arsenal to victory over Man Utd in the first round of the Premier League at Old Trafford, Manchester, England on 17/8/2025. *Photo: Arsenal FC*

Despite the win, the "Gunners" were outperformed in several key statistics. They held 38% possession and managed 9 shots with 3 on target, compared to Man Utd’s 22 shots and 7 on target. The only goal of the match came in the 13th minute when goalkeeper Altay Bayindir mishandled Declan Rice's corner kick, allowing Riccardo Calafiori to head the ball into an empty net. Since the start of the 2023-2024 season, Arsenal have scored 31 goals from corner kicks in the Premier League, far surpassing second-placed Liverpool (20).

Arteta emphasized that he was most pleased not only with the result but also with how his players responded to their mistakes. "We did two things well. One, we capitalized on a set piece. Two, we responded strongly after making errors," he explained. "Some mistakes are normal, some are unusual, but the way the players reacted helped us secure the win. Otherwise, it would have been impossible."

Calafiori's close-range header, the only goal for Arsenal. *Photo: Arsenal FC*

While happy with the victory, Arteta also pointed out shortcomings in their attacking play and expressed his desire for Arsenal to better control the game. The 43-year-old manager analyzed: "There were 7 or 8 situations where we could have played a through ball to face the goalkeeper, but we lost possession. And then the match turned into a basketball-style game, back and forth. Against a team as capable of capitalizing on opportunities and finishing as well as Man Utd, that’s extremely dangerous."

In the second round of the Premier League, Arsenal return home to host Leeds on 23/8, while Man Utd visit Fulham on 24/8.

Compiled by Hong Duy