On Wednesday 29th March 2023, the Premier League welcomed two Premier League icons into the Hall of Fame -Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. They became the first managerial inductees…
The legendary managers of Manchester United and Arsenal were hugely successful and their titanic clashes defined a whole era in the Prem.
So we decided to look back at some of their classic matches. The vibes are pure Barclays.
Ready for a nostalgia overload?
March 1998
Man Utd 0 – 1 Arsenal
A massive win for Arsenal at Old Trafford as they went on to win the league. Wenger became the first non-British manager to lift the Premier League
April 1999
Arsenal 1- 2 Man Utd
United snatch victory in extra-time in the FA Cup semi-final, and would go on to lift the cup. A game that had the lot
May 2002
Man Utd 0 – 1 Arsenal
Arsenal clinched the title with victory at Old Trafford ending United ‘s run of three consecutive titles and bringing the trophy back to the north London. No better way to do it than in your rival’s back yard!
September 2003
Man Utd 0 – 0 Arsenal
Known as ‘The Battle of Old Trafford’, this one was feisty!
13 United fouls, 18 Arsenal ones, a red card for the Gunners and, Wenger accused Ruud van Nistelrooy of diving to get Viera sent off.
The Dutchman would miss the penalty to prompt some passionate Arsenal celebrations. Looking back years later, United’s Roy keane said of that match: “I had a lot of hatred for Arsenal …. But I regret it.”
October 2004
Man Utd 2 – 0 Arsenal
A typically prickly affair at Old Trafford kicked off at the end of the match. Wenger confronted van Nistelrooy, so Ferguson intervened, and then a slice of pizza was thrown at him!
It was only revealed 13 years later that it was Cesc Fabregas who launched the slice…
February 2005
Arsenal 2 – 4 Man Utd
It went off in the tunnel beforehand, and then on the pitch after. Arsenal tool the lead twice, but United came roaring back to win 4-2 at Highbury.
May 2005
Man Utd 0 – 0 Arsenal
Arsenal won the FA Cup on penalties against their old nemesis. It was the end of an era for both clubs and the rivalry: Roy Keane left Man Utd later that year, Vieira left Arsenal, the Gunners moved to the Emirates Stadium, and Wenger wouldn’t win another trophy until 2014.
May 2009
Arsenal 1 – 3 Man Utd
A Cristiano Ronaldo double silenced the Gunners at the Emirates, and pushed the Red Devils into the Champions League final.
August 2011
Man Utd 8 – 2 Arsenal
The end. United recorded a famous demolition of Arsenal that closed the book on this legendary, heated and vintage Premier League rivalry.
Will we see this epic contest come to life again in the next few years?
