The historic rivalry between Arsenal and Man Utd ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford for a pivotal match against Manchester United, looking to keep up the pace with Manchester City in the Premier League (PL) title race.
Tickets for this historic clash are selling out fast, and for those eager to witness the drama unfold firsthand, head to Seatsnet.com to secure your tickets now.
Arsenal and United, two of England’s most historic clubs, renew their rivalry again with so much at stake for both sides.
For Arsenal, a chance to clinch their first PL title in 20 years beckons, while United are simply fighting to stay afloat as they sink further down the table.
The Red Devils have only won once in their last seven games (D4, L2), slumping to eighth on the league log.
United have fallen from grace since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. They are a far cry from the side that gave Arsene Wenger countless headaches.
As Arsenal and United lock horns again, we take a nostalgic glance back to relive some of those gladiatorial battles, remembering the thrilling encounters that defined this rivalry.
The rivalry begins
In August 1996, a bespectacled and bookish-looking Wenger arrived on English soil following a strange/short stint in Japan leading Nagoya Grampus.
The Frenchman had built his reputation at AS Monaco, managing stars like Glen Hoddle, George Weah, Youri Djorkaeff, and Emmanuel Petit.
He had won the league in his first season with Les Monagasques before claiming the Coupe de France in 1990.
When he landed in England, he met an established order led by Ferguson, who had already been on the United job for ten years and had won the league three times.
Wenger was the disruptor. He was already highly regarded for his intellectual approach to the game, earning the nickname Le Professeur, and he brought with him a radical change that upset the status quo.
Arsenal and United were in the top flight for years and had heated scuffles in 1990, but they became fierce enemies in the late ’90s when Wenger took charge of the Gunners.
Ferguson and Wenger’s contrasting styles and fiery personalities fuelled some of the most thrilling encounters in Premier League history.
Their first meeting
Wenger’s Arsenal came into their first game against Ferguson’s United unbeaten in ten games but were undone by an own goal by defender Nigel Winterburn. The Red Devils claimed a 1-0 win.
United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and Arsenal striker Ian Wright were involved in an incident as the game threatened to spill over.
The Manchester club also secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture, and the police had to keep Wright and Schmeichel from each other after the game. Wright accused the Dane of racially abusing him, claims which Ferguson came out to dispute.
“People speak too much after something happens which justice has to decide,” Wenger retorted, marking the start of many verbal spats between the two.
Later on, Ferguson called Wenger a novice and questioned his famed intelligence. Both managers did not see eye to eye, and their animosity grew wings from there.
United ultimately won the league in Wenger’s first season, but the Frenchman bounced back spectacularly.
Wenger wins his first league title in England & Ferguson bites back
United looked on their way to claiming another league title in 1998, leading the way on the league log, but injuries decimated the team. They dropped points between February and March.
Arsenal rolled into Old Trafford in March with a defiant Wenger reminding journalists that the race wasn’t over.
Arsenal backed their boss’ words and beat United on their way to claiming the double, with the FA Cup coming later.
A staggered Ferguson bounced back and won the title the following season, pipping Arsenal by a point. Reclaiming the crown must have felt good, but United’s victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final left the sweetest taste.
With the game tied, Ryan Giggs scored that solo goal in extra time and knocked the Gunners out of the competition. United won the Cup and completed a treble by securing the UEFA Champions League.
Memorable Arsenal vs Man United fixtures
In the 2000/01 season, United thrashed Arsenal 6-1, and Gunners fans could not say they did not see the mullering coming.
Wenger started the shaky Oleg Luzhny at right-back. But even more concerning was the centre-back pairing of Gilles Grimandi and Igor Stepanovs.
Dwight Yorke bagged a hat-trick in 22 minutes, with Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, and Teddy Sheringham rubbing salt in Arsenal’s wounds.
However, the Gunners claimed revenge over their archrivals the following season, securing Wenger’s second title at Old Trafford.
The Gunners claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to clutch centre-back Sylvain Wiltord as they won another double under Wenger.
One cannot forget the battle of the buffet, which remains one of the most memorable moments in PL history.
In October 2004, the North Londoners were on a 49-game unbeaten run and took on United in an ill-tempered tie that the Reds won 2-0.
The manner of the loss left Arsenal fans crestfallen. Many believed United forward Wayne Rooney tricked the referee to win the penalty that gave United the lead.
Arsenal’s 3-1 win over United on November 25, 2001, also made for a thrilling spectacle.
United and Arsenal were locked in a 1-1 stalemate with ten minutes on the clock. However, United keeper Fabian Barthez gifted his international teammate Thierry Henry not one but two goals.
Henry grabbed the gifts with both hands, and Arsenal claimed a memorable 3-1 win.
On the other hand, August 28, 2011, is a dark day for many Arsenal fans. It was the day United humbled the Gunners despite fielding seven natural centre-backs.
United thumped Arsenal 8-2, with Wayne Rooney scoring a hat-trick and Ashley Young netting twice as United decimated a fragile Arsenal side.
“We could have scored more, but you don’t want to score more against a weakened team like that,” Ferguson said after the game. Ouch!
Arsenal leapfrog Man United
Fast forward to today, and the tables have turned. Arsenal are the team to beat, while United are a shadow of their former selves.
Arsenal pushed Manchester City to the brink last season for the league, while United settled for a top-four finish.
United’s League Cup win only flattered to deceive, and the wheels came off for Ten Hag’s side this term. They have already lost 13 league games this season and risk missing out on European football altogether.
Arsenal will be eager to defeat United and keep the pressure on City in the title race again. The Gunners are confident after securing 14 wins in their last 16 match-ups (D1, L1).
Arsenal’s recent record against United will also bolster their confidence. They have claimed six wins from their last ten Premier League meetings with the record PL champions (D2, L2).
