Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Sun 17 August 2025 18:33, UK

Arsenal kicked off their 2025/26 campaign in style with a 1-0 win away at Manchester United on Sunday.

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After finishing second three seasons in a row, the Gunners have spent lavishly this summer in a bid to end their 21-year title drought.

Mikel Arteta’s men were by no means perfect at Old Trafford, and they were given a serious examination by an exciting, revamped Manchester United attack.

However, Arsenal held firm with a lot of help from goalkeeper David Raya, with Riccardo Calafiori’s 13th-minute goal — profiting from an Altay Bayindir mistake — enough to give them all three points on the road.

Here are the full Arsenal player ratings from a hard-earned statement win:

David Raya – 9

While Bayindir floundered at one end, Raya was excellent at the other.

Raya also perfectly executed a punched clearance under pressure just before the hour mark, showing Bayindir how it’s done.

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Ben White – 7

Used the ball in the brief moments he was able to get involved.

Always seems to be there just as Arsenal look ready to break.

Always worth leaving on for a moment of magic, of course.

Viktor Gyokeres – 3

Zero shots, zero chances created, three touches in the opposition box and just three of 13 duels won.

Gyokeres was isolated on his Arsenal debut, but he also didn’t help himself, losing a lot of physical duels against the United centre-backs — though at least he was there to contest them.

A long way to go for the Swedish striker at his new club — and he did stick to the task with his work rate and running — but not a great start.

He’ll carry a lot of pressure given how long Arsenal took to get his deal over the line.

Gabriel Martinelli – 5

Clocked a match-high 34.4 km/h sprint and had a couple of decent moments, but was nowhere near involved enough with just 14 touches and three passes completed.

Kai Havertz (on for Gyokeres, 60?) – 5

Tried to give Arsenal an outlet to relieve the pressure but, like Gyokeres, found himself isolated.

Noni Madueke (on for Martinelli, 60?) – 5

A couple of flourishes aside, didn’t really get going.

Jurrien Timber (on for White, 72?) – 6

Kept busy defensively but did fine.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori, 72?) – 5

Didn’t get into the game at all.
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