William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes Arsenal moment vs Man Utd speaks volumes for Mikel Arteta

Start as you mean to go on. That will be the plan for Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta and his players will know that performances must improve if Premier League glory is to follow in the next nine months.

This was a result at Old Trafford, and a display, to match other important ones of years gone by, except at the opposite end of the season. Last term this fixture was mostly a bore fest with nothing riding on it, which certainly isn't something that could be said about Sunday's narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United.

In 2023/24 Arsenal went to Old Trafford needing to push the title race to the final day and came out on top in a narrow victory. This had many of the same hallmarks.

There was a resolute defensive edge to Arsenal on both occasions but in contrasting styles. Whereas the past game had been all about getting over the line late on, this was a slow start that never ignited and needed, in some ways, saving.

When unable to click moving forward, make sure you do not concede or lose, and that it what Arsenal did. They took advantage of United's set piece weaknesses (and their own strength). Ultimately, Arsenal did not have to do anymore as David Raya kept them ahead and some brave last ditch tackling from William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes covered for what had been an unusually shaky showing.

Had United been a little more clinical, Raya a little less good, or Patrick Dorgu a tad more fortunate, then more questions would have been asked over Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres, both of whom had quiet afternoons. Games are decided by fine margins, though, and Arsenal have become adept at being on the right side of those when it matters.

Here, they found themselves keeping United at bay on a day that marked a welcome for Benjamin Sesko, but more pertinently, starts for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Both of them tested Arsenal with speed, directness, and a fearlessness that has not existed for much of the past decade at the club.

Arsenal may have been surprised by the intensity and directness of United's start and they looked rattled. This is a group who have played through adversity and come out on top against more organised opponents before, and knew when to sit in and accept the struggles.

Scenes such as Gabriel and Saliba punching the air at full time have been seen many a time now after Arsenal battled to decisive points. This is one out of 38 league games that promise to define Arteta's reign, and Arsenal were undoubtedly below par. Perhaps the scale of consistency needed to win a title in this league was already playing on the minds as Simon Hooper blew his whistle and sparked scenes of joy.

There is an element of not wanting to go over the top on the first weekend, but also a recognition of just how tough this was. Arsenal had already watched their two (expected) closest rivals score four goals in wins of very different natures.

An opening day trip to United, where positivity and excitement seeped out on the pitch, was always going to be much harder to deal with, and deal with it Arsenal did. Just.

They did not show many new parts to their game to make Pep Guardiola or Arne Slot worried (unlike Tijani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, or Hugo Ekitike) but relied upon that old, grizzled aspect of their character which has already taken them so far. That in itself is a skill, and with the uber-high standards set in recent years, finding a way to drag yourself to a win is just as valuable at this stage as ever.

In fact, not being tripped up by United even when far from their best is maybe evidence again that Arsenal cannot and will not go away. They cannot be shaken off.

With it being such early days, there is no need to overreact to what was largely an underwhelming 90 minutes from most of the team. The expectation is that as the weeks go on, Arsenal will get better and find their feet.

They will learn how to play with Gyokeres and won't be up against players as dangerous and creative as Bruno Fernandes, Cunha, or Mbeumo. A continued tricky run of fixtures will throw up obstacles for this team so ensuring that there is a win on the board is vital for establishing some semblance of control in what is set to be a fierce and genuine three-way tussle at the top.

Liverpool at Anfield and then Manchester City coming to north London before the end of September threaten to be more ruthless opponents than United, who are still finding themselves. In a positive way, Arsenal's now ingrained ability to dig out results and get over the line sets them up well to stay intact through this period.

Arteta will have to build up the fluidity on show, though, otherwise it could become a slog far too soon. Arsenal cannot allow their season to descend into the emotional minefield that it has become when faced with Guardiola's never-faltering City alongside them.

That is now the task ahead. Arsenal were targeted on the left side where Mbeumo received possession at every available opportunity against match-winner Riccardo Calafiori. It was a good duel between two confident players.

Further up on that side, Martinelli put up much less of a convincing bid to keep his spot. He offered very few avenues for Arsenal to attack with and will be pushed by Noni Madueke.

Saliba and Gabriel pumped out their chests to stand up for Arsenal when needed, but were not the reassuring presence that has been the foundation of the team. They were not helped by United's aggression and intent on springing balls up the pitch as soon as possible.

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice eventually managed to stem the flow of attacks straight through the middle of the field but will need to do more to conduct and coordinate games from deep when facing more passive opponents. Arsenal were rarely in control of this game, which will bother Arteta as much as his players stood up to go unpunished.

In a sense, this was typical Arsenal. They have become experts at grinding out matches. That is how they started the season, and do as you mean to go on, after all.