Arsenal Edge Man Utd 1-0 Despite Sloppy Display as Saka Demands Improvement

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal in action against Manchester United (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka has admitted Arsenal's performance against Manchester United "was not great" but insisted he was "impressed" with Viktor Gyokeres' Premier League debut.

Riccardo Calafiori got the only goal in the 13th minute when he pounced on an error from United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Declan Rice's in-swinging corner was not dealt with by the Turkey international and Calafiori headed in to an empty net.

But Arsenal were otherwise second best at Old Trafford, sloppy in possession against a United side who impressed with their energy and purpose, even if they ultimately could not find an end product. The likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo caused the Arsenal backline problems but Ruben Amorim's side could not find the clinical finish against the Gunners.

After three consecutive second-placed finishes in the Premier League, Arsenal cannot afford too many more similar displays throughout the season. Speaking after the match, Saka sent a clear message to his teammates.

"It was not a great performance," Saka said. "We are happy with the three points, to come away from Old Trafford with a win.

"We were not up to our usual standards, the basics, sloppy giveaways. Our decision making was not great and that cost us and gave United a lot of momentum. We did not get punished for it but we cannot do it every game."

A huge amount of the focus coming into the match was on Arsenal’s new £55million striker Viktor Gyokeres as he came up against his former boss Amorim. It proved a difficult afternoon for the Sweden star, who struggled to hold up the ball and did not get a sight of goal before being replaced just after the hour.

"I was impressed with him and he battled for us," Saka said of his new team-mate. "It was tough. There was a big battle up there.

"I thought he did well. His performance gives us something to build on and I am sure it will help him next week. He has slotted in well and so have the other guys."