Mikel Arteta faces transfer questions after Man Utd victory highlights Arsenal title concerns

If you cannot win well, just win. I find myself saying this cliche internally at many Arsenal matches; these are the types of games they would have lost in the previous season. Almost certainly, the 1-0 victory over Manchester United was a battle that would not have returned three points in years gone by.

They were not the better team when it came to how they used their time on the ball, as Mikel Arteta's disjointed and rusty team somehow eked out all three points with yet another one-goal victory at Old Trafford. When the fixtures for the Premier League were revealed, the start that Arsenal had saw them almost immediately ruled out by many among the legitimate title challengers.

Watching both Manchester City and Liverpool put four past their respective opening-day opponents will not have done much to change that. But what would have solidified them would be dropping points on the opening day at a ground where Arsenal have such a poor record.

Arsenal avoided that, courtesy of Riccardo Calafiori. One of the big debates ahead of the match was whether Arteta would choose the Italian over Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Interestingly, despite starting with Jurrien Timber against Athletic Club in the final pre-season game, he alternated at right-back but not left. Thankfully, yet another set-piece proved the difference for the Gunners with plaudits to Nicolas Jover - but certainly none to Altay Bayindir, who flapped at the cross and was the most at fault.

Despite having the lead, Arsenal never gained much, if any, control in the game. After the match, I asked Arteta how moments that saw so many turnovers of play could become big chances, and the Spaniard referenced the basketball-like state of play the match turned into.

"Well, as you see, I think there are seven or eight situations when the ball is completely open to play through, and we are on," he said. "And we are attacking the keeper.

"And we give that ball away, and then it becomes a basketball game. And I got a basketball game against a team that is extremely, extremely good at finishing action with the quality that they have.

"That's a very difficult thing to do. That's why I talk about the reaction to that. Because if you don't react in relation to that mistake, quick enough, sharp enough, you're in big problems."

It was incredibly open, and it became a nervous affair. However, in those times, you need the big players to step up, and David Raya did.

It is no surprise that the Arsenal goalkeeper is in possession of the last two seasons' Golden Glove - the second of which shared with Matz Sels - because his shot-stopping abilities are simply excellent. The stops from Matheus Cunha in the first half and Bryan Mbeumo in the second are match-winning, and despite having some odd moments in the opening stages, he atoned perfectly.

But going back to the "seven or eight" opportunities that Arteta made reference to: it was clear the front line lacked cutting edge, threat and penetration.

Gabriel Martinelli, to put it bluntly, had a nightmare of a game. He was incredibly wasteful in key moments, tame with his limited shots, and lacked the initiative to make the right calls when on the counter.

It is no surprise that Arsenal supporters remain adamant that a new left winger is a necessity before the window closes. Noni Madueke, who came on late in the game for the Brazilian, was only tested defensively and did not look great in that regard.

Even Bukayo Saka lacked the usual zip we have come to expect from him. Viktor Gyokeres was not serviced, and it cannot be stressed that if this Arsenal team are to maximise the benefits of the Swede they will need to adapt to his style.

When you win, the drawbacks and concerns are much less probing, and instead, we can look more comfortably for the opportunity for these to change. Next up for Arsenal is Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium, with an expectation that this fixture will allow for much more possession and a chance to provide the right types of passes for their new signings to excel.

Martin Zubimendi is the exact type of player who will be better equipped for these matches. Although the back-and-forth nature of the game at times made him look overrun, he still provided strong defensive cover and some smart passes for teammates.

It was good to be able to make such strong changes, five in total, with a combined near-£180million worth of transfer fees between them, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, an academy graduate, amongst them. This could be the difference for Arsenal this season, with Declan Rice brought off nice and early to rest his legs on a game that demanded so much of him and his teammates.

Arsenal move level on points with their title rivals, a win to start the season and still time left in the transfer window to perhaps make more changes. football.london understands for now the focus remains on outgoings, but as Eberechi Eze appeared to wave goodbye to his Crystal Palace fans, it appears the other side of north London awaits the England international - though Eagles boss Oliver Glasner had plenty to say about that.

Attention, therefore, will have to move elsewhere; but who for, for now at least, remains a mystery. Whether Andrea Berta can be as clutch as Riccardo Calafiori was in the north west, remains to be seen.