Arsenal v Manchester United: Five classic Premier League encounters

 

When viewing the fixture list for tonight’s Premier League action, Arsenal v Manchester United is undoubtedly the pick of the clashes.

A rivalry between two of English football’s greatest clubs, with matches that rarely disappoint, there have been countless memorable encounters during the Premier League era that have had a bit of everything, including late winners, red cards and unlikely heroes.

Here are five of the best league clashes between these two historic rivals to have taken place in North London over the past 30 years.

 

1.     Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United, 9^th November 1997

An instant Premier League classic.

The visitors were coming into this clash as reigning champions, while Arsenal were searching for their first title of the Premier League era. An exciting clash on paper, but the events of the match at Highbury in 1997 were not only exhilarating but crucial in the context of the season.

The hosts found themselves two goals ahead after less than half an hour: a young Nicolas Anelka registered his first goal for the club, beating the legendary Peter Schmeichel at his near post, before a stunning curling strike from Patrick Vieira found the top corner.

Arsenal were in dreamland, but that would only last a matter of minutes as Teddy Sheringham headed past David Seaman to register his first goal of the season, before firing in from the edge of the box to level it up at 2-2 before the break.

The second half saw both teams push for a winner, which Arsenal eventually grabbed in the 83^rd minute, David Pleat heading in a Nigel Winterburn corner to send Highbury’s famous North Bank into raptures. The Gunners would eventually go on to win the title that year, in Arsene Wenger’s first full season in charge.

 

2.     Arsenal 2-4 Manchester United, 1^st February 2005

If you’re looking for a Premier League match with an exceptional, tension-charged atmosphere, look no further than Manchester United’s win at Highbury in the 2004/05 season, famous for captains Roy Keane and Vieira having to be pulled apart from each other in the Highbury tunnel.

The hosts were still raw from the infamous 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford earlier that season which ended their record 49-game invincible run, in an equally hostile atmosphere in Manchester, but took the lead through a Vieira header from a corner.

Ryan Giggs’ shot deflected in off Ashley Cole to level it up after 18 minutes, but Dennis Bergkamp restored Arsenal’s advantage before the break. Both teams were fortunate to still have 11 players on the pitch after some poor challenges and ill-discipline.

The second half saw a Cristiano Ronaldo double before Silvestre eventually seeing red for the Gunners, before the unlikeliest finish from the unlikeliest player – a stunning chip from unfancied defender John O’Shea – secured a memorable win for United and a league double over their rivals for the title.

 

3.     Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 21^st January 2007

The first clash between the two teams at Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium was one to remember for the home faithful.

In the 200^th meeting between the clubs, the first half was typically competitive, Wayne Rooney and Emmanuel Eboue exchanging slaps but with no punishment, and poor challenges from Ryan Giggs and Evra saw no further punishment.

United were comfortably top of the table and looked to secure their first league title since 2003 and went nine points clear early in the second half when Rooney powerfully headed in a Patrice Evra cross.

With seven minutes remaining, Robin van Persie, five years before his big move to Manchester, utilised his poacher instincts to draw Arsenal level, before Eboue’s cross was headed in by Thierry Henry to give the hosts a precious three points.

 

4.     Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United, 31^st January 2010

A masterclass in counter-attacking football.

League title contenders United arrived at the Emirates in January 2010 needing to win to keep up with favourites Chelsea, and duly did so, exposing Arsenal’s defensive frailties.

With Nani outstanding throughout, it was the Portuguese winger, so often a frustrating figure during his career in Manchester, who forced the game’s opening goal, getting beyond Gael Clichy and sending in a delicious cross that Manuel Almunia could only palm into his own net.

And, shortly after, a swift counter-attack ended in Ji-Sung Park finding Rooney, who swept into the bottom corner for his 100^th Premier League goal.

Just after half-time, Park made the game safe with a third following another counter-attack, denting the hosts’ title hopes and demonstrating the growing gulf in class between the two teams.

Thomas Vermaelen’s late deflected shot gave Arsenal little more than a consolation goal.

 

5.     Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United, 4^th October 2015

The first sign that the wheels were starting to fall off for Louis Van Gaal.

Gone were the days of the Wenger-Ferguson rivalry, though the ill-fated David Moyes era at Old Trafford did see a victory and a draw against the Gunners, and Moyes’ successor Van Gaal was struggling to win round the Old Trafford faithful – this result did not help matters.

Arsenal were at their clinical best and were 3-0 up after 19 minutes. Mesut Ozil’s cutback was back-heeled in by Alexis Sanchez after just five minutes on the clock, before Ozil tucked past David de Gea a minute later.

Sanchez smashed a shot past de Gea into the top corner on 19 minutes to secure a significant victory for Arsenal in a season in which they would finish in second place, their best position for over a decade.

United just did not get going and Arsenal could’ve easily had a fourth, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud both notably going close in the second half.