Arsenal secured a 0-1 away win over their rivals Manchester United in the opening match of the 2025/26 Premier League season at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

In the first half, Calafiori scored with a header, Dorgu's long-range shot hit the post, and Cunha's difficult angle shot was saved brilliantly. In the second half, Raya made several excellent saves. At a crucial moment, Saliba's tackle on Cunha went unpunished, sparking controversy. In the end, the Gunners defeated the Red Devils with a 0-1 away win.

First Half

In the 13th minute, Arsenal secured a deadly corner kick opportunity. Declan Rice took the corner by crossing it into the box. His pass was saved by Altay Bayındır before Riccardo Calafiori headed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from close range. Arsenal broke the deadlock early to take a 0-1 lead!

Although some Hong Kong and Malaysian netizens on a Facebook page titled "Soccerkingz" believed that Calafiori's goal should be disallowed due to a suspected offside, Calafiori was actually on the same line as Matthijs de Ligt at the time, so there was no offside at all!

In the 30th minute, Manchester United launched a quick counterattack. Bruno Fernandes intercepted the ball and passes horizontally from the midfield center circle. Patrick Dorgu quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before unleashing a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area. Unfortunately, his shot hit the bottom right corner of the post and bounced off. The Red Devils missed a golden opportunity to equalize Arsenal!

3 minutes later, Manchester United launched a quick counterattack. Diogo Dalot made a straight pass from his own back half. Matheus Cunha quickly followed up, got the ball and then dribbled past William Saliba into the center of the box before striking the ball with his right foot, but his shot was saved by David Raya.

In the 38th minute, Mason Mount passes horizontally from the left side of the box. Cunha quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before making a left-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left side of the box, but his shot was bravely saved by Raya.

At the end of the first half, Manchester United temporarily trailed Arsenal 0-1 going into the halftime break.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 69th minute, Fernandes crossed into the box from the right wing. Bryan Mbeumo rose high in the center of the box and took a right-footed overhead kick, but his shot went wide of the left side of the post.

4 minutes later, Dorgu crossed into into the box from the left wing. Mbeumo rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was bravely saved by Raya.

Shortly afterwards, Fernandes crossed from the right side of the box. Benjamin Šeško rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort  went wide of the left side of the post.

In the 89th minute, De Ligt passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Cunha was tackled from behind by William Saliba while he was striking the ball with his right foot at the center of the box. However the referee unexpectedly refused to award Manchester United a penalty, which caused great controversy!

When the final whistle is blown, Arsenal defeated Manchester United with a 0-1 away win.