Calafiori reacts after scoring first Arsenal goal of 2025-26: ‘We have to improve’ | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori insists that Arsenal still have to ‘improve if possible’ after scoring the only goal of the game to help his side to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening, but claims that the confidence within the group will help ‘bring the level up’.

Calafiori scored from a header at the back post following a Declan Rice corner to give Arsenal all three points in their first Premier League game of the 2025-26 season, away against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

What Calafiori said after scoring in Man United 0-1 Arsenal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Altay Bayindir of Manchester United fails to save a header which leads to the first goal for Arsenal scored by Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Though not the prettiest of performances, Arsenal got the job done from a set-piece, which has become a trademark under Mikel Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.

“Like always we were working a lot on set-pieces and that is what we showed today,” Calafiori told Sky Sports after full-time on Sunday.

He continued: “We have to improve if possible and keep going.

“If we want to compete at the high level we have to be good in every position, my team-mates are ready to play and it is not easy to play every game.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Gabriel Martinelli during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“The confidence we have inside is going to bring up the level. Hopefully I play a lot but if not there is another teammate that can play.”

Calafiori has now scored three goals from his 20 Premier League appearances since joining from Bologna last summer. With his goal against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last season, the 23-year-old’s Arsenal tally is now up to four.