London, 18 August 2025 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - Arsenal held off a rejuvenated Manchester United to grind out a 1-0 win courtesy of Altay Bayindir’s early blunder in their Premier League opener at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Gunners – who handed debuts to signings Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi – took a 13th-minute lead when Riccardo Calafiori headed in at the back post after United goalkeeper Bayindir had flapped at a corner.

United, though, recovered strongly from their early setback as Patrick Dorgu’s low strike hit the far post and new arrival Matheus Cunha then had his angled shot tipped across the face of goal by David Raya.

Benjamin Sesko was brought off the United bench for the last 25 minutes before fellow debutant Bryan Mbeumo had his downward header saved as the Gunners – runners-up for the past three seasons – held out for all three points.

"To come in the first fixture to Old Trafford with that atmosphere, the way they are building momentum with the new signings and the excitement around it, it’s top," Gunners boss Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports.

"It’s a great feeling. Then we have to be really humble about the way we did it."

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim bemoaned the result but praised his players, especially the impact of the new boys.

"Congratulations for the performance, but not congratulations because we lost the game, at home. I think we deserved clearly a different result," he said.

Chelsea had earlier laboured through a goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge – where Eagles midfielder Eberechi Eze saw a first-half free-kick ruled out.

Both Eze and defender Marc Guehi were named in the Palace starting line-up, despite being heavily linked with respective moves to Tottenham and Liverpool.

Eze thought he had put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes when he lashed in a free-kick from the edge of the box.

But referee Darren England was advised by VAR to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, and decided Eagles captain Guehi was too close to Chelsea’s defensive wall, where he had jostled with Moises Caicedo.

The Blues – back in action on home soil after winning the Club World Cup – failed to seriously test Palace keeper Dean Henderson in a disjointed display.

Chris Wood scored twice in the first half as Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 3-1 at the City Ground to hand new Bees boss Keith Andrews defeat in his first game.

Dan Ndoye also headed in a debut goal just before the break, with Brentford’s consolation coming via a late Igor Thiago penalty.

Photo: epa