Premier League Classics: The best clashes between Arsenal and Man Utd
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We look back at the high points of their rivalry
When it comes to pure drama, the rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United at its fiercest is arguably still the Premier League’s golden era.
United and Arsenal won 11 of the first 12 Premier League titlesbetween them. Whenever they played each other, it could shape the course of thewhole season.
The current Manchester City and Liverpool sides have a greatsporting rivalry and have pushed each other to new heights. However, there’salso huge respect between the two camps. These United and Arsenal sidesgenuinely seemed to hate each other under Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
That added edge made for some brilliant matches, and we’verounded up our five favourite clashes in the Premier League…
March 1998: Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal had never won at Old Trafford in the Premier Leagueera. They hadn’t even scored there before this fixture. But with United ninepoints ahead, having played three games more, they knew victory could put them inthe driving seat.
Marc Overmars raced on to a Nicolas Anelka header to score alate winner, which proved to be the turning point in the title race.
Wenger’s side went on to win 10 games in a row, overtakingUnited at the top of the table and beating Newcastle United in the FA Cup finalto clinch the double.
May 2002: Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal
There can’t be many feelings better than sealing the title on your closest challenger’s own patch. That’s exactly what Arsenal did in 2001/02, with a goal from Sylvain Wiltord enough to clinch top spot.
The Gunners only needed a point to secure the title, but ThierryHenry and Dennis Bergkamp were both missing from the starting XI.
It didn’t make a difference in the end, with United wellbelow their best, allowing the North London side to seal the double.
September 2003: Man Utd 0-0 Arsenal
The ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ didn’t produce any goals, butthis high-tension game was still unforgettable.
Any match between these two was fiercely contested duringthis period, but the red mist descended on several Arsenal players afterPatrick Vieira was sent off. They believed Ruud van Nistelrooy had conned thereferee into sending off their captain.
Van Nistelrooy then had the chance to seal the win from thepenalty spot in the closing stages. However, his effort crashed off the crossbar.When the final whistle blew, the Dutch striker was surrounded by still fuming Arsenalplayers. Before long, players from both sides got involved as the situation escalated.
Arsenal were later fined £175,000, while Lauren, Keown, Vieiraand Ray Parlour were all suspended and fined. Ashley Cole was also fined. RyanGiggs and Cristiano Ronaldo were fined and given warnings.
However, what happened after the match is just as notable.Arsenal went on the win the title and put together their historic 49-gameunbeaten run. If Van Nistelrooy had scored that penalty, English footballhistory could have looked very different.
October 2004: Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal
Talking of Arsenal’s unbeaten run, here’s where it came toan end. United came into the match determined to prevent the visitors fromplaying their slick, passing game.
Jose Antonio Reyes came in for especially rough treatment,with Phil Neville later admitting they “kicked him off the park”.
The game turned in the 73rd minute, when Wayne Rooney won a very controversial penalty. Van Nistelrooy stepped up to score, making up for his miss just over a year earlier. Rooney then wrapped up the win in the last minute.
The drama didn’t end at the final whistle. A heated confrontation in the tunnel came to be known as the “Battle of the Buffet”, after a slice of pizza was thrown in Ferguson’s face.
August 2011: Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal
Arsenal had fallen well behind United by this point butlosing to their rivals by such a huge margin was still one of the lowest pointsof the Wenger years.
The Gunners had lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri duringthe summer, and a makeshift line-up just couldn’t handle the hosts. Rooney scoreda hat-trick and Ashley Young grabbed a brace.
The dismal display forced Arsenal into a late trolley dash.They signed Park Chu-Young, Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos and Mikel Arteta inthe three days before the transfer window closed.
Mertesacker and Arteta proved to be smart additions on andoff the pitch. Both now play a key role at the club as manager of the academyand first-team respectively.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
