Arsenal's opening win at Man United a 'big result' says Mikel Arteta

Arsenal managed a 1-0 win over Manchester United to open the season with three crucial points.

The Gunners' trip to Old Trafford to begin the Premier League season to face Manchester United was one that they knew had a lot of danger attached to it.

But a Riccardo Calafiori header from Declan Rice's corner was enough for Arsenal to secure the three points in the red half of Manchester.

However, the scoreline was very much the only positive for the Gunners, with United having chance after chance, but they couldn't convert thanks to the exploits of David Raya in goal.

In what happened to Arsenal countless times last season, United won all of the key stats, except the most important one, the scoreline.

Arteta thrilled with result over United

Heading into the game, we knew that the result was all that mattered, given how disjointed the preseason had been, with players coming in and out, so going to Old Trafford was always going to be a tough assignment.

And considering it was opening day for United, it made the task even more difficult, but the Gunners stuck to their plan, and walked out with three points.

Don't think Arteta isn't aware of how big a win it is, either.

"Big, big result coming in the first game of the season at Old Trafford," Arteta said via arsenal.com. "When you feel that they are building something special, momentum, with a new signing and they want to kick on the season in a good way and you are able to come away with the win, I'm very happy and proud of the team."

Yes, the performance wasn't the best and won't live long in the memory, but it was so important to get the right result, given that several players are still playing their way back into "football" shape, and the Gunners will gladly take the points and move on to Leeds at the Emirates next week.

Big, big result? Yeah, you got that right, Mikel.

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