Gyokeres flops, 9/10 shines – Arsenal player ratings vs Man United
Arsenal kicked off their 2025/26 campaign in style with a 1-0 win away at Manchester United on Sunday.
After finishing second three seasons in a row, the Gunners have spent lavishly this summer in a bid to end their 21-year title drought.
Mikel Arteta’s men were by no means perfect at Old Trafford, and they were given a serious examination by an exciting, revamped Manchester United attack.
However, Arsenal held firm with a lot of help from goalkeeper David Raya, with Riccardo Calafiori’s 13th-minute goal — profiting from an Altay Bayindir mistake — enough to give them all three points on the road.
Here are the full Arsenal player ratings from a hard-earned statement win:
Raya to the rescue
David Raya – 9
While Bayindir floundered at one end, Raya was excellent at the other. The Spaniard pulled off a stunning save to deny Cunha in the first half, making five further stops throughout the game to the tune of 0.68 goals prevented (FotMob). Raya also perfectly executed a punched clearance under pressure just before the hour mark, showing Bayindir how it’s done.
Ben White – 7
Used the ball in the brief moments he was able to get involved. More focus on stopping an exciting United attack and did so well, with two tackles, four clearances, four recoveries and a block. Had a couple of tough moments up against the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo, but acquitted himself well. Forced off with an injury in the 72nd minute.
William Saliba – 6
A few nervous moments on the ball, but made up for it with some vital blocks, tackles and clearances. Always seems to be there just as Arsenal look ready to break.
Gabriel – 5
Like Saliba, Gabriel wasn’t at his best in possession here, while he had some ropey moments trying to deal with United’s swift counter-attacks. Improved a little as the game went on.
Calafiori comes up clutch
Riccardo Calafiori – 8
Loves popping up with a goal and delivered an important one here on the opening weekend. The Italian is a powerful runner and performed brilliantly down the left for Arsenal on both sides of the ball. Has been disrupted by injuries at the Emirates and looked to be tiring before he came off.
Martin Odegaard – 8
A masterful performance from Odegaard, who never looked afraid to take a risk with the ball. Eight passes into the final third and five of seven long passes completed don’t tell the whole story. Odegaard was a metronome at Old Trafford.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
Any worries of Zubimendi struggling with the rough and tumble of the Premier League were quickly put to bed as he clocked up a match-high 11.2km covered, while making three tackles and five recoveries, being dribbled past only once. A great start for the Spaniard.
Declan Rice – 7
A quiet afternoon overall, and yet Rice still managed to exert a huge influence on the match with a brilliantly accurate corner to force the mistake from Bayindir.
Bukayo Saka – 5
Saka never lets his head go down, but this just wasn’t his day. Completed just one of six dribbles, while failing to attempt a shot and creating just one chance. Always worth leaving on for a moment of magic, of course.
A frustrating debut for Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres – 3
Zero shots, zero chances created, three touches in the opposition box and just three of 13 duels won. Gyokeres was isolated on his Arsenal debut, but he also didn’t help himself, losing a lot of physical duels against the United centre-backs — though at least he was there to contest them.
A long way to go for the Swedish striker at his new club — and he did stick to the task with his work rate and running — but not a great start. He’ll carry a lot of pressure given how long Arsenal took to get his deal over the line.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Clocked a match-high 34.4 km/h sprint and had a couple of decent moments, but was nowhere near involved enough with just 14 touches and three passes completed.
Kai Havertz (on for Gyokeres, 60′) – 5
Tried to give Arsenal an outlet to relieve the pressure but, like Gyokeres, found himself isolated.
Noni Madueke (on for Martinelli, 60′) – 5
A couple of flourishes aside, didn’t really get going.
Jurrien Timber (on for White, 72′) – 6
Kept busy defensively but did fine.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori, 72′) – 5
Didn’t get into the game at all.
Mikel Merino (on for Rice, 83′) – 5
Didn’t have time to make a difference.