Player Ratings: Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal - Gritty Gunners seal vital victory at Old Trafford 

Here's our resident Player Ratings chief View From The Armchair on Arsenal's hard-fought 1-0 win at Manchester United 

Arsenal sealed a gritty 1-0 win against Manchester United thanks to Riccardo Calafiori's 13th minute header to start the new Premier League season with a vital victory. 

Here's the Gooner Fanzine's resident Player Ratings boss, View From The Armchair, as he runs the rule over Mikel Arteta's side at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Find out who impressed with his inimitable Player Ratings 

David Raya: 8/10 - In goal we have Raya- the Premier League's finest keeper, made more than one good save in the first half to keep United at bay, same heroics in the second half delivers a glorious one nil away win, Gary Neville gives Raya the MOTM but I’m actually going with Martin Odegaard who was fantastic in midfield 

Ben White: 8/10 - Did a good solid job of keeping United quiet in the first half, led from the front with passion and determination, and a steely grit in the tackle, replaced by Timber on 71 minutes, had a good game  

William Saliba: 8.5/10 - Back in tandem with his stalwart partner Gabriel today. Unusually sloppy in possession in the first half, fantastic job keeping quiet United's latest newest cheating so-and-so of a forward in Cunha in the second half. A clean sheet and three points - we absolutely love to see it

Gabriel: 8.5/10 - Calm, composed leadership see us go in at half time one nil to the good, did a fantastic job of marshalling the kinder egg headed figure of Mbueno, it’s a clean sheet, it’s One Nil to the Arsenal 

Riccardo Calafiori: 8/10 - Set Piece Again Ole Ole Ole. Appeared on cue at the right time, and the right place to head home on the line on 13 minutes with our first corner of the 2025-26 season. Replaced on 71 minutes by MLS to become our match-winning hero

Martin Odegaard: 8.5/10 - The conductor and beating heart of this Arsenal team, silky smooth on 34 mins to come close with a fierce shot. He was that good he was able to do some punditry for the cameras before being sent back out after the interval, a rather unwelcome addition to the sky sports coverage this year it seems, my MOTM 

Martin Zubimendi: 7.5/10 - Whacked in the face in under 60 seconds, no red card, it’s Old Trafford alright, welcome to the Premier League Zubi. Good to note the Basque battler grew in confidence as the game wore on 

Declan Rice: 7/10 - Superb whipped cross from the corner for the assist on the opener, replaced by Mikel Merino on 82 minutes - good to be able to rest him when we can

Bukayo Saka: 7/10 - Busy first half  

Viktor Gyokeres: 7/10 - Did a solid job of leading the line in the first half, replaced by Kai Havertz on the hour - going to be interesting which of these two will lead the line for the Gunners this year, the increased competition can only be a good thing

Gabi Martinelli: 7/10 - worked hard off the ball in the first half to contain this tide of red scum attacking the Arsenal goal, no bias here, replaced by Mandueke on 60 minutes

Substitutes: 

Kai Havertz: 7/10 - Time wasted gloriously, fouls won, ate away the minutes to frustrate United. Great to note it was complete dejection around Old Trafford at the final whistle goes - apart from the noisy away end of course - as The Arsenal take all the marbles with a well deserved win  

Noni Mandueke: 7/10 - Barely had anything to do, still leaves the pitch a hero as United are left empty handed on a glorious first day of the season

Myles Lewis Skelly: 7/10 - closed the game out leaving United's cheating fanbase crying for a penalty, something, anything, as six additional minutes were somehow found to be added on

Jurrien Timber: 7/10 - Underlined Arsenal's resilience and new found strength in depth with an heroic appearance off the bench against the old enemy

Mikel Merino: 7/10 - Desperation wreaks down from the home stands as the time ebbs away, as Arteta's battling side records a memorable away win on the first day of the season, I’ll take it all day everyday.

View From The Armchair Verdict:

Well that’s enough of a completely, fair balanced view of things here from the comfort of my armchair (!).

Clearly not a good word to be said or heard about United at all, ever - but that only goes to show that you can expect a completely balanced view of things as the season progresses and we all get to laugh at United, and hopefully get to see them relegated on the last day of the season.

Just like what happened back in the 1970’s when Dennis Law scored that cheeky back heel to send them hurtling into Division Two to leave a stain on their history that still resonates here today in 2025. While we're at it, it's obviously worth mentioning Arsenal have never ever been relegated from the top flight...

Oh and the Arsenal reject Sesko looked suitably abysmal as well - Happy Days, all round - One Nil to the Arsenal, safe travels home to all Gooners at Old Trafford - bring on Dirty Leeds next weekend. 

COYG