'A Big, Big Result': Mikel Arteta Relieved To Escape From Old Trafford With A Win

Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 09:20 IST

While Manchester United were the better team, Mikel Arteta said Arsenal winning despite not being at their best was cause for confidence.

For Mikel Arteta, winning at Old Trafford is a good start to the season. (AP Photo)

Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday was not a masterclass against the superior team, but manager Mikel Arteta was thrilled to leave Old Trafford with all three points in their Premier League season opener.

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori capitalised on a weak challenge from Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to head in an early corner. The London side then withstood a barrage of United attacks to secure the win.

“A big, big result coming into the first game of the season against (United) at Old Trafford," Arteta said after facing a side with new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

“When you feel that they are building something special and momentum with the new signings and they want to kick off the season in a good way and you are able to come away with the win, I’m very happy I’m part of the team."

Arteta acknowledged his team, which spent nearly 200 million pounds ($266.30 million) in the close season after three consecutive second-place finishes, did a few things right on Sunday.

“One, to take the set-piece and then react to especially mistakes," he said. “Some of them are necessary, some of them unusual. But the way every single player reacted to that gives us the opportunity to win the game. If not, it’s impossible. And that’s about how we compete and how much we want to take it."

While United were the better team, Arteta said Arsenal winning despite not being at their best was cause for confidence.

“When you’re not at your standards in certain aspects, which today we weren’t, being fair, we can still come away and find a way to win the game," he said.

“And the team has to find that resilience throughout the season for 10 months in different contexts to be able to do that.

“Of course, we have to improve a lot of things and that will happen very soon. But in terms of managing to get that into a very positive result, that’s a great way to do it."

Arsenal’s main close-season signing, Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, did not stand out on his Premier League debut and was substituted early in the second half.

“But overall, coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, it’s a good start," Arteta said.

With Reuters Inputs

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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Manchester (UK)

First Published:

August 18, 2025, 09:20 IST

News sports 'A Big, Big Result': Mikel Arteta Relieved To Escape From Old Trafford With A Win

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