Arsenal Player Ratings have become a hot topic after the Gunners edged Manchester United 1–0 at Old Trafford in their opening fixture of the Premier League 2025-26 season.
Despite securing all three points, Mikel Arteta’s side struggled for long spells and were second best for much of the contest.
A Riccardo Calafiori header proved to be the difference, but Arsenal fans will know the performance raised more questions than answers.
Best Performer in Arsenal Player Ratings
The standout player was undoubtedly David Raya, who pulled off several crucial saves to deny United an equaliser.
While Riccardo Calafiori grabbed the winning goal, Raya’s composure and reflexes ensured Arsenal returned to London with a clean sheet.
William Saliba was also commanding at the back, while Martin Ødegaard provided moments of calm in midfield despite the overall lack of rhythm.
Arsenal Player Ratings vs Man Utd (4-3-3)
| Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| GK: David Raya | 8.0 |
| RB: Ben White | 7.4 |
| CB: William Saliba | 7.3 |
| CB: Gabriel Magalhães | 6.8 |
| LB: Riccardo Calafiori | 7.9 |
| CM: Martin Ødegaard | 7.7 |
| CM: Declan Rice | 6.2 |
| CM: Martín Zubimendi | 7.0 |
| RW: Bukayo Saka | 6.5 |
| ST: Viktor Gyökeres | 5.9 |
| LW: Gabriel Martinelli | 6.5 |
| SUB: Kai Havertz (60′ for Gyökeres) | 6.3 |
| SUB: Noni Madueke (60′ for Martinelli) | 5.9 |
| SUB: Jurriën Timber (71′ for White) | 6.1 |
| SUB: Myles Lewis-Skelly (71’ for Calafiori) | 6.0 |
| SUB: Mikel Merino (83′ for Rice) | 6.0 |
Subs not used: Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK), Cristhian Mosquera, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard.
Player of the Match: David Raya.
Match Result: Arsenal vs Man Utd
The final whistle confirmed a narrow 1–0 win for Arsenal, courtesy of Calafiori’s close-range header.
United looked the sharper and more energetic side for most of the afternoon, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha causing constant problems.
Yet, despite United’s pressure, Arsenal’s defensive resilience and Raya’s brilliance carried them over the line.
What’s Next for Arsenal in the Premier League 2025-26?
After securing victory in Manchester, Arsenal now turn their attention to a challenging run of fixtures.
Arteta’s men face tough opponents in the coming weeks as they aim to prove they are genuine title contenders this season.
The question is whether the Gunners can turn hard-fought wins like this into convincing performances that will sustain them across a long campaign.
Arsenal’s Premier League journey continues at home against Leeds United on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Anan Reda
Aya Mohamed