arsenal kicked off the 2025-26 season in style with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The game saw the Premier League debut of new £11.91 billion striker Victor Yokerez, the club’s highly anticipated signing, but he was criticized for a disappointing 0 shots on target, but teammate Xherdan Shaqiri wasfull of praise for him.

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saka “He fought for us, I was impressed”

“I was impressed with him, he fought for us [translate: I was impressed with him, he fought for us],” Saka said in a post-match interview when asked about Yokerez’s debut. “It was a tough, rough fight, but I think he did well,” he continued, adding that “he will definitely add something to our team and I’m sure next week will bring him more chances.”

indeed, on the day, Yokerez was involved in a fierce battle with United defender Matthijs Duricht throughout the match. although he didn’t register an offensive point, he showed his dedication to the team by being tenacious up front. saka’s comments seem to recognize Yokerez’s teamwork.

it’s too early to tell, look forward to the next game

after scoring 97 goals in two seasons at Sporting CP and dominating the Portuguese scene, expectations were high for Yokerez, but it’s too early to judge his success based on one game. what matters most is that Arsenal came away from Old Trafford, the ‘Theater of Dreams’, with three valuable points.

yokerez, Xhaka, and Arsenal play their first home game of the season on Saturday, August 23, when they host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium. with the fans cheering him on, it will be interesting to see if Yokerez can turn his question mark into an exclamation point with his EPL debut goal.

frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q. what style of player is Victor Yokerez?

A. He is a striker with great pace and strong physicality despite his 6-foot-4 frame. He is known for his goal-scoring ability, as well as his ability to link up with his teammates and get involved in the defense. he inherited the number 14 shirt from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

Q. how did Iker Casillas perform on his debut?

A. He played around 60 minutes and didn’t register a single shot on target, lost five out of eight aerial battles, and completed just 44% of his passes.

Q. why was it important for Arsenal to win at Old Trafford?

A. Old Trafford is the home of Manchester United and is notoriously tough for away teams. arsenal have been so weak here that they have only won twice in the Premier League since 2006. Winning the first game of the season, especially on such a difficult away trip, can only boost the team’s morale and be a positive sign for the title race.