There were times in the final stages of last season when goals from set pieces were gradually depleted, many people thought Arsenal were too dependent on it.
That assessment is not necessarily wrong, but in fact, it is still an effective weapon. Football is sometimes decided by superior technique, but there are also matches decided by organization and effort, finding a way to score while minimizing opponents. The 1-0 victory at Old Trafford is a clear testament to that strength of Arsenal.
Man United continued to show limitations in defending corners - the type of situation that both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka performed very well. In that context, the mistake of the Altay Bayindir goalkeeper can be considered understandable.
The more unpredictable thing was in the later scenario. Man United once had the ball touch the post, while Arsenal's David Raya had to save it seven times.
After the match, coach Mikel Arteta emphasized the team's "courage and spirit", and frankly admitted that his students had made "very many mistakes that were far from the usual standards".
The problem is not whether Arsenal are lucky or not and deserve to win 3 points. Instead, winning in an unimpressive situation has not been a familiar style of Arsenal in recent times. Therefore, overcoming difficulties to win all 3 points is a positive signal.
The lack of success in the opening match is understandable, especially when the new recruits are still integrating. Viktor Gyokeres needs more time to adapt to the rhythm of the Premier League.
Martin Zubimendi was surprised that Bryan Mbeumo's handshake was not handled by the referee, but he would later learn how to deal with the typical collisions and tricks of English football.
Arteta admitted that the two needed more time to get up to speed, but he was still satisfied with the initial performance. The errors will gradually be overcome, the flow will return.
In the meantime, the Gunners can rely on a valuable weapon: set pieces. They have scored 31 corners since the start of the 2023-2024 season - at least 11 more than any other team in the Premier League.
For a team that is often expected to dominate completely and win the match, this is clearly an important support. The victory at Old Trafford is reminiscent of the Aston Villa game early last season, where Raya made his mark with a spectacular double loss.
At this time, should we praise Arsenal for winning without playing too well - a manifestation of championship spirit - or should we question why they have not played at their best? The answer can only be determined by the developments of the whole season.
Arsenal may feel satisfied after defeating Man United right at Old Trafford. It is true that 9 teams did this last season, but with Ruben Amorim on the coaching bench, Man United will certainly not be "affordable" as before.
When the squad is gradually stable and does not have to share efforts for the European Cup, Old Trafford can become an unpredictable fortress. Overcoming that challenge in the opening round was clearly an advantage for Arsenal.
In the group of 4 potential champions, Arsenal is the team with the most difficult start. They didn't play too well but still have 3 points - more than Chelsea did after the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
Enzo Maresca's side have a talented attack, but the loss of Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill to long-term injuries has left the defence vulnerable.
In goal, Robert Sanchez continues to be questioned. He was perhaps lucky that VAR dismissed a goal from Eberechi Eze's free kick.
Chelsea's biggest problems are lack of creativity and Nicolas Jackson's failure to prove him as the solution in attack.
Manchester City made the most impression in the opening round. New signing Tijjani Reijnders shined in a 4-0 win over Wolves, a match that showed their familiar destructive power.
However, Man City's openness in playing style - which was clearly shown last season and at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 - has not disappeared. And older opponents than Wolves can exploit this weakness.
Liverpool also played explosively in the 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, but had to rely on 2 goals after the 88th minute to keep all 3 points. Like Arsenal, they still need more time to balance their squad and integrate with the new recruits.
In other words, no team in the top 4 has achieved the highest form. Cohesion will come over time. But if we consider the level of challenge, Arsenal overcame the most difficult obstacle from the beginning and that could be a significant mental advantage.
