History of The Epic Rivalry: Arsenal vs. Manchester United

English football has witnessed many fierce rivalries over the years, but few have captivated fans and pundits alike as the intense feud between Arsenal and Manchester United. While both clubs have shared a division since 1919, it was in the late 1990s and early 2000s that this rivalry reached its peak, captivating football enthusiasts across the globe. Forget the recent drubbing of Manchester United at the Emirates. This fixture has seen some of the most emotional atmospheres and results to date.

In the annals of football history, the rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United had witnessed its fair share of heated encounters. Yet, it was in the frosty January of 1987 that Sir Alex Ferguson believed the embers of this fiery competition truly ignited. It all began when David Rocastle, wearing the Arsenal colors, found himself walking an unexpected path to the dressing room, sent off for retaliating against a ruthless foul on Norman Whiteside. Little did anyone know, this clash would be the first fiery chapter in a storied saga.

Wenger vs. Ferguson: Clash of the Titans

At the heart of this rivalry were two legendary managers, each with a unique approach to the beautiful game. Arsenal's Arsène Wenger, who served from 1996 to 2018, brought a philosophy of attractive, possession-based football. On the other side stood the indomitable Sir Alex Ferguson, at the helm of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, renowned for his tactical brilliance and the ability to inspire his troops.

The clash of these managerial titans was as intense as the battles on the pitch. Wenger's rivalry with Ferguson extended beyond footballing tactics, with mind games, verbal jabs, and a palpable desire to outdo one another.

The Arsenal vs. Manchester United clashes during this era were rarely without drama. From February 1997 to February 2005, a staggering seven red cards were shown in their matches, underscoring the raw intensity of the rivalry. The matches were characterized by high-stakes tackles, heated confrontations, and a relentless pursuit of victory.

Iconic Moments

The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United produced countless memorable moments. From Ryan Giggs' iconic FA Cup semi-final goal in 1999 to Thierry Henry's unforgettable solo effort in 2000, these games provided fans with moments that will be forever etched in their memories.

The Battle of Old Trafford

Arsenal's Lauren (R) was fined £40,000 and banned for four matches following the incident 

The "Battle of Old Trafford" is a legendary football match that will forever be etched in the annals of sporting history. This epic showdown between Arsenal and Manchester United on April 17, 2003, was more than just a game; it was a fierce battle that showcased the intensity of their rivalry.

Before that fateful night, Arsenal was on the brink of making history. Arsène Wenger's "Invincibles" were on a remarkable run, undefeated in the Premier League for 30 consecutive matches. Their quest for an unbeaten league campaign was the talk of the footballing world.

Manchester United, led by the indomitable Sir Alex Ferguson, saw this as an opportunity to thwart Arsenal's historic run. Old Trafford was the setting, and both teams were ready for battle.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric as the match kicked off. From the first whistle, it was clear that this was going to be no ordinary game. The tackles were flying in, the intensity was palpable, and the crowd was roaring with every play.

The turning point came in the 73rd minute when Arsenal's captain, Patrick Vieira, was shown a red card for a challenge on Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy. The tension reached a boiling point as players from both sides confronted each other, resulting in a massive brawl. Arsenal players felt van Nistelrooy had cheated to get the penalty and get Vierra sent off.

As the dust settled, Van Nistelrooy had the opportunity to win the match for United from the penalty spot. The entire stadium held its breath as he stepped up, but Arsenal's goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, made a crucial save, denying United the victory. This decisive miss would make Arsenal claim the premier league title on an unbeaten run.

Arsenal's Martin Keown screams at United's van Nistelrooy after the penalty miss.

Battle of the Buffet (2004-05 Season)

When Arsenal clashed with Manchester United again, the stage was set for an epic showdown. The Gunners had already written their name into the history books with an awe-inspiring unbeaten league run stretching to an astonishing 49 games. Meanwhile, their arch-rivals, Manchester United, found themselves trailing in sixth place, a substantial 11 points adrift of Arsenal, and they had a singular mission: to shatter their rivals' unblemished streak.

Sir Alex Ferguson, never one to mince words, didn't hold back in his press conference. He vividly recalled Arsenal's conduct in the corresponding fixture from the previous year, condemning it as "...the worst thing I've seen in this sport. No wonder they were so delighted at the verdicts."

The October 2004 clash at the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford was destined to be a spectacle, but it wasn't without its controversies. Referee Mike Riley's oversight of several contentious fouls added fuel to the fire. One such incident was Ruud van Nistelrooy's dangerous studs-up challenge on Ashley Cole, a moment that went unpunished.

Arsenal, true to their style, dictated much of the play, but as the game approached its climax, Manchester United began to surge forward menacingly. Then came the pivotal moment—a penalty awarded to the home side after Wayne Rooney was deemed to have been fouled in the area by Sol Campbell. Van Nistelrooy, nerveless as ever, slotted the ball into the net, sending the Old Trafford faithful into a frenzy. Late in the game, Rooney added another to seal a 2–0 victory for United.

Tempers flared in the tunnel post-match. Arsène Wenger, unafraid to defend his players, confronted Van Nistelrooy for his reckless challenge on Cole. But it was Ferguson who intervened, asserting his authority and urging Wenger to leave his players alone.

The drama didn't end on the pitch. A shocking twist came when a pizza, of all things, was hurled at Ferguson by an Arsenal player. The unexpected projectile forced the Manchester United manager to hurriedly change into a club tracksuit before he could carry out his television duties.

The incident, now famously known as "Pizzagate," garnered widespread attention. Yet, despite the chaos, both clubs maintained a stoic silence, and no formal investigation was ever launched into the pizza-flinging debacle. It was later revealed that it was the Arsenal's youngster, Cesc Fabregas, who had thrown the slice at Ferguson.

The 8-2 Thrashing of Arsenal

On August 28, 2011, Arsenal faced Manchester United in a Premier League clash that would go down in history as one of the most astonishing and lopsided results ever witnessed in English football.

From the outset, Manchester United asserted their dominance. Ashley Young opened the scoring for United in the 8th minute with a curling effort that left Arsenal's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny with no chance. Arsenal managed to pull one back quickly when Robin van Persie scored a stunning goal in the 22nd minute, but this would prove to be a rare moment of joy for the Gunners. Arsenal's defense began to unravel as the match progressed. Wayne Rooney, who would go on to have a remarkable day, scored his first of three goals with a well-placed header in the 41st minute.

Ultimately, the turning point of the match came in the 56th minute when Arsenal's young defender Carl Jenkinson was shown a second yellow card and subsequently a red card for a foul on Nani. Arsenal was reduced to ten men, and the task at hand became even more daunting.

Wayne Rooney continued to torment Arsenal, completing his hat-trick with goals in the 41st, 64th, and 82nd minutes. Ashley Young and Nani added to Arsenal's misery with goals in the 28th and 90th minutes, respectively.

Arsenal did manage to score a second goal when Theo Walcott found the net in the 45th minute, but by then, the result was well beyond their reach. And Arsenal supporters could be seen leaving the stadium way before the final whistle could be blown.

In the world of football, rivalries are what make the sport truly special. Arsenal vs. Manchester United is a rivalry steeped in history, characterized by epic battles, legendary players, and iconic managers. From its humble beginnings to the modern era, this clash has endured, captivating fans worldwide. As both clubs continue their quest for glory, one thing is certain: the Arsenal vs. Manchester United rivalry will always be a chapter etched in the annals of football history. So, whether you're a "Gunner" or a "Red Devil," remember that this rivalry is what makes football the beautiful game it is today.