It feels like Arsenal just ended the season last month, yet here we are kicking off another Premier League season. There are certainly some easier grounds on which to begin the season than Old Trafford but getting such a tough road game out of the way early is a benefit.

Arsenal has another strong squad as the season begins, but with a few key additions. Striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sweden and English Winger Noni Madueke should make immediate impacts and the Spanish Center Back Mosquera will give the Gunners depth behind Saliba.

The game has kicked. 9:30 out here in the desert on this clear, calm bluebird morning. In Manchester the sun is shining bright on this Sunday afternoon. Arsenal wearing white tops with maroon shorts and Man U in their home red and white. Who knows what to expect, but I’ll take Saka to score three and Arsenal to win 4-1.

Arsenal Starters:

• GK Raya
• RB White
• CB Saliba
• CB Gabriel
• LB Calafiori
• CM Zubimendi
• CM Rice
• CM Odegaard
• RW Saka
• ST Gyokeres
• LW Martinelli
  • Bench:
    • Timber
    • Havertz
    • Skelly
    • Nwaneri
    • Trossard
    • Mosquera
    • Madueke

ARSENAL GOAL! 13th minute from a corner no less. Rice from the left corner delivered a perfect ball directly into the goal forcing the Man U Keeper to make a save. The flailing keeper put a weak hand to it and tapped it directly into the path of Calafiori who gently nodded it home with his head from one foot away. From my seat, the Keeper certainly could’ve been more aggressive to get to the ball that was whipped in perfectly by the elite right footed midfielder. Rice continues to cook.

HALFTIME: Overall, sloppy in the first half for the Gunners. Lacking in crisp passes and control. Too many bad touches. Martinelli has been strong on the left winning tackles and free kicks, but the entire team has left something to be desired in the first half. Each player made at least one or two uncharacteristically careless mistakes, but it is the first game of the season and at Old Trafford and the scoreline is 1-0 to their favor. Let’s not get greedy, but I’d like Arsenal a bit more settled in the second half and complete more passes and give the ball away less.

Man U has looked equally sloppy, but more dangerous.

Nervy Premier League weekend mornings are back in my life. Three points is three points. Let’s be sharp this last 45 minutes.

60th Minute: Havertz and Madueke on for Gyokeres and Martinelli. This is a near unwatchable game. Sloppy, chippy, and questionably officiated by Simon Hooper. I’m not sure of the instructions he received for this game, but he has hurt this game’s flow with his inconsistent whistle–and non-whistle at times. He hasn’t yet made himself part of the game, which is a good thing, but I expect more consistency. The same goes for Arsenal–more consistency is required. Still one nil to the Arsenal.

71st Minute: Skelly and Timber on for White and Calafiori. Man U’s new signing Cunha has been the best player on the pitch thus far in his team debut. Still 1-0 to the Arsenal, but, momentum is not on the Gunner’s side. Arsenal is losing the midfield battle in this one. Rice, Zubimendi, and Odegaard are lacking chemistry, and the clever captain of Man U captain Bruno is exploiting it.

What a Save by Raya! Quick as a cat he saved the headed effort that was certainly goal bound off Striker Mbeumo’s head. Cunha and Bruno made it happen. This half finally created a moment of excitement. This has been a snooze fest of a soccer match that looks like it is being played by actors trying to be footballers. A severe lack of quality is missing for this to be world class players of this sport.

83rd Minute: Merino of for Rice who just won a ‘corner’ from a free kick. Saka delivered a poor ball on the corner and Man U are attacking again…still 1-0.

FINAL: Three point is three points, but Arsenal looks a step or two below where they began the season last year. Talent and brand names at every position, but as a team, looked like they never played together before today. The physicality and effort brought by Havertz and Declan’s cross that led to the goal were the two positives. Every player needs to improve upon this performance. Three points is three points, especially at Old trafford, but good gracious, let’s look like winners next time. I wish there was more to say.

COYG!

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.