Arsenal blunt in attackpublished at 11:35 18 August
11:35 18 August
Noel Sliney BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Debutant Viktor Gyokeres wasn't helped by a lack of service on Sunday.
His tally of 22 touches was the second fewest on either side among the players to start, with Arsenal's attacking intent stifled by Manchester United for the most part.
Arsenal struggled to get hold of the ball, with their number of passes into the final third and touches in the opposition penalty area being around half of their average last season.
'There is a player there' - Dixon on Gyokerespublished at 11:35 18 August
11:35 18 August
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New Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was "trying so hard" against Manchester United and just needs to "relax a little bit" next time, says former defender Lee Dixon.
The 27-year-old struggled to show his full potential in the win at Old Trafford on Sunday, but received little in the way of service, meaning he had no shots at goal and his 22 touches were the fewest by a player on either side.
However, after the match, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta accepted some of his new signings were not at the level needed yet but that they "will get there", something Dixon also felt.
Dixon told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "Gyokeres was a bit vanilla. Players have to fall into the way of a team playing and sometimes when a player comes in he is trying so hard to make an impact.
"Even in pre-season you can see the troubles of a player trying to settle into a side that plays a certain way. It is alright doing your moves in training and trying to work it out, but in a game, and the intensity of a game like that in the Premier League on the opening weekend of the season, all sorts of things are going through his head.
"He is trying so hard. The patterns just didn't seem to work for him. There is a player there, there is no doubt about it. His goal record is fantastic and that is why Mikel signed him.
"He won't be too disappointed with what happened, it will just be a case of right, back to the training ground, and then next time you play just relax a little bit and all of a sudden those passes and those moves begin to work.
Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:59 18 August
08:59 18 August
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Here are some of your comments:
United fans
Richard: I agree with Ruben Amorim - we were clearly the better team and deserved something from the game. In the end, it was a story of two goalkeepers. It's brutal to say, but it's evidence that winning the title by 2028 will need a different person between the posts.
Danyal: For the first time in a while, it was a strange feeling after defeat. We played well and should've probably taken at least a point from this game! The new signings have definitely showed why they were brought in, but we still need to strengthen that midfield before the window closes - otherwise it will always be a mismatch. Regardless, let's move on to the next match. This is a long season but the signs are there.
Jonathan: United were superb. Huge improvements from the ineptitude of last season. Terrible from our keeper, although could have been a foul. Arsenal got very lucky - particularly with the obvious penalty for Cunha. Better days are definitely ahead. We all need to hold our nerve and back our charismatic and capable manager.
Media caption,
'Brave' Man Utd were the better team - Amorim
Arsenal fans
Matt: Don't judge too soon - only look at the league after the first seven or eight games. Better to start slow while picking up points than peak too early. Martinelli offers little threat and Saka still hasn't hit his best form since his return from injury last season. But we'll come good.
June: Same old, same old. If Gyokeres is going to play up front they have to change the way they get the ball to him. He needs balls he can run on to because he's a proper centre-forward. He's not going to come to get the ball so they have to deliver it.
Kevin: All in all, a good result. Three points at Old Trafford is never easy. Saka and Martinelli are under-performing and becoming very predictable. We need to adapt to the strengths of our new players. But I still feel very optimistic for the future. It's early days yet but I can see the potential, especially with young players like Max Dowman coming through.
Gossip: Gunners prepare De Jong movepublished at 07:09 18 August
07:09 18 August
Arsenal are ready to bid for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, 28, with the Netherlands international's contract set to expire next summer. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Gyokeres does not get dream debutpublished at 19:28 17 August
19:28 17 August
Alex Howell Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The excitement before meeting against Manchester United for Arsenal supporters was that they were going to see their new £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres in action in a Premier League match.
The Gunners have come into this season with a new direct style that they are hoping will get the best out of the Sweden striker, and be the difference in them lifting a trophy during this campaign.
Gyokeres' main attributes are using his power and strength to burst through the centre-backs and boss Mikel Arteta is trying to increase the amount of chances he gets.
However, Gyokeres is lacking in match sharpness and has only been back in full training since signing for Arsenal - after he did not attend Sporting's pre-season while he looked to force through a move.
There were occasions when the 27-year-old was played into promising positions, but it looks as though it will take time for the players to get used to their new system and for him to build up the fitness he needs to become a key part of the Arsenal attack.
It was not the debut Gyokeres would have dreamed about, and the forward was jeered off by the United supporters when he was replaced by Kai Havertz in the 60th minute.
The usually reliable Arsenal defence did not settle and had some shaky moments during the match - Manchester United able to create chances with direct passes behind the visitors' defence.
Riccardo Calafiori is important to the Arsenal attack due to his unpredictability on the ball but his runs into midfield and further up the pitch left Bryan Mbeumo in space and that also caused problems for the Arsenal backline.
Arteta will be pleased to get off to a winning start but there is a lot for the manager to work on before their next game.
"We came here away and won which is a big result. We were clearly not at our best," Arteta told BBC Match of the Day.
"We attacked the box and we reacted well to unusual mistakes. The team reacted time after time in an incredible way. Very proud of that because that is why we got the opportunity to win the game.
"We showed a resilience and a will to win. They put you on the ropes here, you will have to have moments when you suffer. To find a way to win at this ground, I'm very happy with the team."
On the new signings: "They have made a good impact on the team, they had a great attitude. Physically some of them are still not at the level we require for 95 minutes but we will get there."
Speaking to Sky Sports about Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, Arteta added: "Very happy with them, the ones that came in as well, they had a massive impact in the game. Some are still not at the highest level that they need to get to but we will get there."
Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal: Did you know?published at 18:49 17 August
18:49 17 August
Image source, Getty Images
All six of Arsenal's away victories against Manchester United in the Premier League have come by the same 1-0 scoreline which makes it the most away wins one side has over another in the competition with all coming by the same score.
The Gunners have scored 31 goals via corners in the Premier League since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, at least 11 more than any other team (Liverpool – 20).
Sutton's predictions: Man Utd v Arsenalpublished at 11:06 17 August
11:06 17 August
What a great game this is to start the season with. I'm genuinely excited about Manchester United's new signings, especially Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha - we have already seen just how good they are in the Premier League.
I can't claim to have an incredible knowledge on EVERY player so I must admit I have seen less of United's new striker Benjamin Sesko, but he seems a player with a lot of potential and his arrival surely spells the end for Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have a new centre-forward too of course, and United boss Ruben Amorim knows all about Viktor Gyokeres after their time together at Sporting.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Gyokeres links up with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, and how quickly they can develop an understanding.
Add in how there is always needle in this match and that a win would be huge for either side - there is a lot to look forward to.
It is going to be close but although I feel really positively about United this season, I think they will lose this and Gyokeres might just have the final say against his old manager.
Arsenal opener at Man Utd 'primed for narratives'published at 18:10 16 August
18:10 16 August
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Arsenal open their Premier League campaign away to Manchester United on Sunday and Alex Moneypenny, host of Cannon Pod, believes the "huge" season opener will set the Gunners up for the season.
"It's massive for Arsenal to start well," Moneypenny said on a special Gunners episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"We spoke about Arsenal becoming more versatile and I think this is a game where we can really show it. I think it was Rob Edwards a couple of years ago who spoke about the different games Arsenal can play - and I see this as a running game.
"If you look at Manchester United's front three of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko with their wing-backs, can we go and match them or do we go different stylistically and try to control the game.
"Can we go and run through them with Kai Havertz or Viktor Gyokeres?
"I really don't know about United because they've caused us problems over the years.
"I'm interested to see how we set up and hopefully, we will have something for them. It's really fascinating and so primed for narratives.
Man Utd v Arsenal: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:58 16 August
13:58 16 August
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United and Arsenal have each spent almost £200m over the summer, including the marquee signings of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, both of whom could make their competitive debuts when the sides meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Gunners narrowed their hunt for a striker down to a choice between the two players, according to BBC Sport's Alex Howell, eventually prioritising Gyokeres, who cost an initial £54.8m from Sporting.
The Swede had also been linked with a move to the Red Devils, where he would have been reunited with former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim.
But with Gyokeres heading to north London, United turned their attention to Sesko, beating Newcastle to his signature for an initial £66.3m from RB Leipzig.
Sesko only trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Sunday so it remains to be seen whether he is ready to begin the game against the Gunners.
Gyokeres, meanwhile, featured in three pre-season friendlies, scoring his first goal in last weekend's 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, and is likely to make his Premier League bow as a starter. Should he score, he would become the first player to mark his debut in the competition with a goal away to United since Paolo Wanchope for Derby in 1997.
Time will tell who proves the most astute signing. Gyokeres is the more prolific, netting 68 times in 66 league appearances in two seasons at Sporting. While he is untested in one of the top five European leagues, the 27-year-old is already at his peak, which should suit the Gunners.
After three consecutive second-placed finishes, and with a squad boasting formidable depth in defence and midfield, Arsenal don't need a striker who may take several years to mature into the finished article. The priority is a player who can hit the ground running and help the club claim a first league title since 2004.
Sesko has more room for growth and – given his unusual combination of height and pace – arguably a higher ceiling. The 22-year-old, who netted 27 times in 64 Bundesliga appearances, overperformed his expected goals tally by 9.4 during his two seasons in Germany.
That was the league's second best figure, behind Harry Kane, and an early sign Sesko could prove to be an elite finisher.
Which Arsenal players should we watch out for this season?published at 10:10 16 August
10:10 16 August
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BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked two Arsenal players who will be worth watching out for in the next few months.
Cristhian Mosquera
Age: 21 Position: Centre-back Country: Spain
James Fielden: Mosquera looked largely untroubled throughout the Under-21s tournament in Slovakia.
A front foot and aggressive defender when he needs to be, he was extremely confident stepping forward and helping in attack. With recovery pace to help in rare situations of Spanish panic, he sounds like Mikel Arteta's kind of player.
Whether he can dislodge the established elite at Emirates Stadium is another matter, but Arsenal have had injury issues in the middle of defence, and he has only missed three games for Valencia over the last two seasons.
For a reported fee of £13m, he looks to be a low-risk and potentially high-reward acquisition.
Max Dowman
Age: 15 Position: Midfielder Country: England
Ian Dennis: I can't wait to see Arsenal's Max Dowman in the flesh because the last time I heard such a buzz around a youngster was Wayne Rooney.
I speak to a lot of scouts, and I have heard rave reviews for a while about this 'gifted' attacking midfielder.
So much so, I spoke with Gunners midfielder Declan Rice about him last season, who at the time claimed, "Max is the best 15-year-old in the country".
It was March when I sat down with Rice, who said at the time he had been inundated with great reviews about the teenager, explaining: "I've had so many texts about Max recently where people have watched him and are saying "wow, what a talent".
Dowman does not turn 16 until 31 December, but sounds the real deal.
James Fielden: Maybe not an original hot take that Dowman is going to be much talked about in years to come, but even having seen him play at the Uefa European Under-17 Championship this summer, you can see why he'll cause teams no end of problems wherever he plays off the front line.
One of a growing number of English players who glide across the field with the grace that we have maybe not been used to seeing over the past couple of decades.
It will be interesting to see what Arteta has planned for him, firstly in terms of game time beyond the domestic cups and also the position in which he'll be deployed.
Let's hope he fulfils his potential and is managed carefully at domestic and international level.
Arteta on Gyokeres, captaincy and 'digging for gold'published at 14:15 15 August
14:15 15 August
Alex Fletcher BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 16:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
New signings Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi are both "fit to play" at Old Trafford.
On Gyokeres: "I can only say how happy we are to have him. He is going to have a tremendous impact in the team and his adaptation has been really, really good."
Arteta thinks his side "must keep digging" as one day "gold will be there" as they look to win the Premier League title.
He added that the pressure is on but pointed out: "For three seasons [combined] we have more points than anybody else in the league and that says a lot about our consistency."
On Martin Odegaard as captain: "My opinion is clear, and it is the same as all the staff and the players. I asked them to vote [for] the captain yesterday and by a mile, they all chose the same person, Martin Odegaard. [That] is the most clear sign you can have."
On the competition in the Premier League: "It's getting stronger and stronger. There are teams that you wouldn't put on a piece of paper [to win the Premier League] right now but they will surprise everybody. With the squads, quality of their managers and the structure they have within their clubs, it's going to get more and more difficult."
Arteta expects Manchester United to be "different" from last season, as they have "made some good signings in order to strengthen".
Finally, the Arsenal boss characterised the rivalry between the two sides as "a piece of history" and said Sunday's game will "intense".
Time for Arsenal's squad to cash in?published at 08:44 15 August
08:44 15 August
We have looked into the age profile of Arsenal's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.
The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.
Arsenal had four players over 30 last season - including Raheem Sterling who was on loan - but have parted ways with three over the summer.
The graphic shows the vast majority of the Gunners squad are between 24 and 30 years old and arguably in their peak, including new signings Viktor Gyokeres and and Martin Zubimendi.
Time for them to fulfil their potential by winning some silverware.
Image source, Getty Images
