The opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season featured exciting games, with Manchester United vs Arsenal being the major highlight of the first round of games.
Both teams came into the season having a disappointing outing during the 2024/25 season at different ends of the table.
Manchester United endured a miserable 15th-place finish last season with no European football. However, under new manager Ruben Amorim, the club has embarked on a summer rebuild, bringing in attacking reinforcements like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.
On the other hand, Arsenal finished second for the third time in a row and still chasing that elusive major trophy, have strengthened their ranks with additions such as Viktor Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke.
Here are the five talking points from Manchester United vs Arsenal
(1) Set Piece Kings:
Arsenal continued from where they left off from last season when it comes to set-pieces especially corner kicks. Riccardo Calafiori scored the opening goal of the match from a corner kick in the opening 15 minutes of the game.
Three of Arsenal’s last four Premier League goals against Manchester United have been scored from corners, with three different defenders netting those (Timber, Saliba & Calafiori). The Gunners have scored 31 goals from corners since the start of 2023-24 in the Premier League; 11 more than the team with the next most in this period (Liverpool, 20).
(2) Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo:
These two Manchester United signings were impressive against Arsenal, which should excite their supporters. The combination of both players will be a huge boost against an easier opposition going into the rest of the season. However, if Ruben Amorim finds a way to ensure the other midfielders can link up with Cunha and Mbuemo they will punish a lot of teams this season.
(3) Viktor Gyökeres:
The Swedish international is one of the season’s signings for Arsenal in their bid to get a proper striker to lead the line. However, he could not get a goal in his first Premier League game of the season.
Mikel Arteta has a lot of work on his hands if he wants to bring out the best from Gyökeres, he has to find a way to ensure that the team plays in a pattern that will suit him.
(4) Patrick Dorgu:
He has sealed his place as one of the first names on Ruben Amorim’s team sheet going into the rest of the season barring any unforeseen circumstances. The teenager was one of the outstanding players for Manchester United against Arsenal, and he looks like one who will get better if he gets more minutes under his belt.
(5) Title Challengers:
It is too early to decide if Manchester United or Arsenal will challenge for the Premier League this season, but one thing seems certain: the Gunners are ready for whatever the season brings their way.
Conclusion:
This is the first game of the season so supporters of both teams can relax and see what next couple of games will bring their way.
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