Arsenal v Manchester United through the Years

Well since we don’t play until Monday, I didn’t want to be too early and get my pre-game write-up done now. That would be just insane of me right. Instead, I just conducted a rather impromptu twitter survey to identify some tasty Arsenal versus Man United match ups.

If we’re completely honest the last couple seasons the match ups haven’t meant much. We were always looking to “stake” our title credentials, in this one, we are actually looking to keep hold on first place. So this match actually means something. So without further adieu, here are some classics for you to discuss.

1958 Arsenal 4 – Man United 5

The last league game before Man United’s terrible Munich accident. This is by accounts a historic gem and in a day when so much acrimony is displayed between fans of each side, it was the home side fans who gave a rousing display of support to the United visitors. It was a wide open game and each team fought till the final whistle for more goals. Then 5 days later the world turned upside down for United.

1979 FA Cup Final: Arsenal 3 – United 2

The 1979 FA Cup Final was  played on 12 May 1979 at old Wembley.  It is widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever finishes in an FA Cup final. For over 85 minutes the game had been unremarkable, with Arsenal taking a 2–0 half time lead through goals from Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton . In the 86th minute, however, Gordon McQueen  scored following a set-piece, and two minutes later Sammy McIlroy dribbled past two Arsenal players to score a dramatic equaliser. With the game poised for extra time, United’s celebrations proved short-lived, as Alan Sunderland scored a last-minute winner, making the final result Arsenal 3–2 Manchester United. This match is often referred to as the “Five-minute Final”.

The 1979 FA Cup was the only major trophy that Arsenal won during the seven-year management of  Terry Neill, who was appointed in 1976 and remained as manager until he was dismissed in 1983.

It was also the only cup final that Manchester United reached under the management of  Dave Sexton who had been appointed as manager in 1977 and remained there until 1981 when he was sacked having failed to bring a major trophy to the club.

9 November 1997 Arsenal 3 – United 2

Regarded by some United fans as the real turning point as to when Arsenal under Wenger became a real “pain in the Arse” for the Mancs. At the friendly confines of Higbury it was as energized as any Arsenal v United match could’ve been. It was not without it’s controversy as the ref could have called a penalty on Nutty’s take down of a very young Paul Scholes. Overall though the match was dominated by Arsenal, especially in the second half where the Gunners did not let United get a sniff of the goal.

14 March 1998 Arsenal 1 – Man United 0

Pretty much a dead lock through out the match with each team having opportunities. Menninger was in goal for an injured Seaman. Pre-game all the discussion talking about his run of form and that he could very well be “Arsenal’s future number 1.” It wasn’t until the 80th minute when the breakthrough finally came. Overmars who had been Arsenal’s primary threat on the day got the winner. A long high ball forward from Keown was flicked on by Bergkamp’s head, and then again by Anelka into the path of Overmars, cutting into the box from the left. He nodded it forward and slotted it underneath Schmeichel’s body. It was the first time Arsenal scored at Old Trafford in 7 years.

8 May 2002, Arsenal 1 – United 0

Is there anything sweeter than winning the title on your rival’s soil? How about winning the double on your rival’s soil? The 1-0 win at Old Trafford would match the feat the Gunners had done four years earlier. It was a match that had all the makings for a fire storm. Scholes needlessly took out Edu, Neville got in on the act with a tackle on Wiltord and Keaneo and Vierra got into as only those two could.  It should be noted that for most of the first half United had the better of the play. It wasn’t until a few minutes after half time that Arsenal really tested the United defence with an off shot by Edu. But Arsenal would seal the win and seal the double on Wiltord’s 100th appearance. In a scene of things to come for Arsenal fans Mikael Silvestre gifted possession to Wiltord, who found Freddie Ljungberg on one of his patented runs through the middle of the pitch. The Arsenal legend beat Blanc before forcing a fine save from Barthez, but Wiltord was on hand to steer home a composed finish.

13 February 2003 Arsenal 2 – United 0

It would later be be known as the match where Beckham got a boot to the head but it was a match that was part of Arsenal’s match towards retaining the FA Cup.  It was obvious from the get go, that United were going to get a “boot in” on Arsenal. Even then the notion was that the club didn’t like it. In the end there were four yellow cards, 3 for United and 1 for Vierra (supposedly just for being Vierra). The match also featured a bit of Karma for one Ryan Giggs who missed a sitter (his 1999 goal is constant fodder to rile up the OT faithful). The goals a deflection by Edu, coming off of Beckham and then off of Rio Ferdinands face (in case you were wondering how he got so ugly). The second was pure class by Wiltord in the 52nd minute which put the match beyond all doubt. It also sealed Fergie’s rage.

21 September 2003 Arsenal 0 – United 0

I think this video says it all. But I will let the words of the BBC spell it out:

Ruud van Nistelrooy was the centre of attention as another clash between Manchester United and Arsenal finished in controversial circumstances.

The Dutch striker smacked an injury time penalty against the crossbar to spark an unsavoury reaction from the Arsenal players.

The Beeb forgot to mention he clearly dived for the penalty. You just don’t see reactions from players like this any more.

21 May 2005 Arsenal 0 – Manchester United 0 FA Cup Final (Arsenal win 5-4 on Pens)

This cup was special in so many way, now more than so because it was the last trophy and it was the last time this special squad would be together. How fitting it was Vierra who would seal the win?