Start-of-season shape:

Arsenal The arrival of six new players in July, including Viktor Gyökeres to fill the void at centre-forward, meant Mikel Arteta’s squad looked well equipped to challenge for the title once again and, even, go one better than second. Optimism was somewhat checked by controversy, however, following the allegations surrounding Thomas Partey and Arsenal’s decision to offer the midfielder a new contract.

Manchester United Ruben Amorim’s first full campaign in charge promised much after a summer in which three new attackers had been signed – Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. However, the lack of any midfield arrivals alongside lingering concerns about the head coach’s rigid tactical approach meant supporters were also somewhat apprehensive.

What happened …

Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal Riccardo Calafiori scored the only goal of a largely drab contest, the Italian nodding in a Declan Rice corner at the far post to set in a motion the defining trend of Arsenal’s season so far. United had once again lost at Old Trafford but in delivering an encouraging performance, cohesive as well as committed, there was a clear sense of things coming together under Amorim.

Riccardo Calafiori scores...