Arsenal vs Manchester United: Ryan Giggs, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Sylvain Wiltord — seven classics ahead of Emirates encounter
For 20 years this was THE game football fans in England looked for and we take a look at some of the best action
MANCHESTER UNITED face Arsenal for the first time this season.
For years, this was Premier League’s most enthralling fixture, which produced some of the biggest talking points of the campaign.
Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger renew their rivalry at the Emirates, but it's still a far cry from the late 1990s and early 2000s crackers.
There is nothing this clash has not seen. There has been everything between the pair — with both sides even clinching a title against the other at Old Trafford.
What made this clash special was, not just how much was riding on it, but how personal it became between the pressure.
Through great difficulty, we’ve managed to whittle down a catalogue of classic matches to the best seven.
Wright on Schmeichel
1996-97: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2
This was Wenger's first home match against United — and he soon realised what this fixture was all about.
Goals from Andrew Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put the away side in cruise control before Dennis Bergkamp netted a consolation.
But the main talking point came late on. Ian Wright, who had exchanged words with Peter Schmeichel in the earlier fixture at Old Trafford that season, was put through on goal — only to be flagged offside.
However, he carried on regardless and came down with a two-footed stamp on the great Dane.
Sir Alex Ferguson was incensed and demanded a red card but Wright finished the game. At the full-time whistle, he had to be restrained as he attempted to confront Schmeichel.
A rivalry was well and truly born.
Giggs' goal (and hairy chest)
1998-99: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2, FA Cup Semi-final replay
United were fighting to become the first English side to win a Treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League — while the Gunners were defending the former two.
The pair were level in the Premier League and had drawn 0-0 at Villa Park in the original game.
David Beckham opened the scoring with a superb curling effort past David Seaman, before Bergkamp equalised.
Arsenal appeared to be in the ascendancy as Nicolas Anelka's goal was ruled offside and Roy Keane saw red late on.
Bergkamp was then given the chance to send Arsenal to Wembley when Phil Neville recklessly brought down Ray Parlour in the box in stoppage time — only to see his spot-kick saved by Schmeichel.
A thrilling contest took another twist when Patrick Vieira gave the ball to Ryan Giggs in the middle of the park.
The Welshman just kept on running, past Lee Dixon, past Martin Keown, before firing high into the roof of the net to finish off one of the most memorable goals in English football history.
There was still time for Tony Adams to head wide with the final act of the game as United prevailed in an absolute classic.
Wiltord wins it
2001-02: Manchester United 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal had finished as runners up to United for three consecutive seasons after winning a maiden Premier League title.
But they came back with a vengeance.
Arguably Wenger's best team, packed with power, speed, leadership and skilled steamrolled over their openings — finishing the season unbeaten away from home.
The Gunners also set another record that season by netting in every single game.
And Arsenal wrapped up the title at the home of the fierce rivals.
Sylvain Wiltord capitalised on a Fabien Barthez mistake to score the game's only goal on 55 minutes.
The strike clinched Arsenal's second Double in four years.
Battle of Old Trafford
2003-04: Manchester United 0 Arsenal 0
Ahead of this match, there was much interest as to how Ashley Cole would cope with 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo after dealing comfortably against Beckham in recent encounters.
But there was also a subtle rivalry developing between Arsenal as a club — and more specifically, Vieira — and United's Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman had been the scorn of the Gunners in the previous campaign as Fergie's men pipped Wenger to the title.
With the game deadlocked and 80 minutes on the clock, Vieira and Van Nistelrooy challenge for a ball which ends with the Frenchman on the floor.
In frustration, he kicks out at the Dutchman to receive second booking. A brawl ensues which remarkably sees Keane act as peacemaker.
The drama wasn't over as United were awarded a stoppage time penalty following Keown's foul on Diego Forlan.
Van Nistelrooy eventually stepped up and crashed his effort against the bar.
Keown led the Arsenal players in deriding the devastated Dutchman.
After the final whistle, they crowded around him and players from both sides got involved in ugly scenes.
Arsenal were fined £175,000 and Lauren, Keown, Vieira and Ray Parlour were handed bans, while Ronaldo and Giggs were also ordered to pay.
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Pizza-gate
2004-05: Manchester United 2 Arsenal 0
The draw at Old Trafford was game No 8 into what would become the longest undefeated streak in English football history.
Arsenal went the entire 2003-04 season without losing a match and The Invincibles arrived at Old Trafford trying to extend their unbeaten streak to 50.
Gary and Phil Neville hit Robert Pires with some ferocious tackles in a fiery first-half which yielded no goals.
But, with 17 minutes remaining, the game burst into life.
Wayne Rooney — on his 19th birthday — went down under minimal contact when Sol Campbell naively hung a leg out in the box.
After what seemed like an eternity, Van Nistelrooy coolly rolled the ball into the bottom corner to cue wild and — as Wenger would later claim — over the top, jubilant scenes.
The Gunners pressed for an equaliser but were suckerpunched in the final minute as the birthday boy wrapped up the points.
A triumphant Fergie waved to the crowd as he left the Old Trafford pitch in his suit — only to appear for the post-match interview in a tracksuit.
It was later alleged he had been hit by pizza thrown at him by an Arsenal midfielder, Cesc Fabregas.
Vieira vs Keane
2004-05: Arsenal 2 Manchester United 4
This game came to life even before the players had made it to the pitch.
Keane came storming down the tunnel to confront Vieira for alleged comments made towards Gary Neville.
Referee Graham Poll enjoyed being the centre of attention as he calmed the warring pair down.
Players refused to shake hands and the tone was set.
Tackles flew in with fans baying for red cards at every turn.
Vieira put the Gunners ahead before Giggs equalised and Bergkamp restored the home side's advantage.
The game turned on it's head as Ronaldo netted a quick-fire double but United saw Mikael Silvestre sent off for a vicious headbutt on Freddie Ljungberg.
However, John O'Shea clinched the victory a delicate last-gasp chip.
Henry makes history
2006-07: Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1
The rivalry was diminishing — but they still managed to eek out on classic.
This was never the greatest game, but the Gunners still made history.
Thierry Henry won it for Arsenal with the last kick of the game — and it was the only time Fergie ever conceded a last minute winner.
Rooney had given United the lead before Robin van Perise rifled an equaliser into the roof of the net.