What happens when you pit 11 players run by a Frenchman against 11 players run by a Scot? Usually a classic, edge-of-your seat, pulsating Premier League tie.
And so this has been the norm down the years as Arsenal and Manchester United – two of English football's three most successful ever clubs, have clashed and fought each other for major honours.
Both clubs have dominated English football in the last decade and between themselves have amassed no fewer than eight league titles, with the Red Devils notching up six league crowns, whilst the Gunners have bagged two (one of which saw Arsene Wenger’s men go through an entire season unbeaten).
Arsene Wenger v Alex Ferguson
Often dubbed “The Battle of Britain”, a match between the pair is never without incident and talking points.
Both sets of managers and players have played their part in making sure that a clash between Arsenal and Manchester United is one few will dare to miss.
From Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s infamous penalty miss in September 2004, Henry’s wonder goal against Fabian Barthez at Highbury in 2000, to Roy Keane’s furious rant in the tunnel against Patrick Vieira in 2005 which will forever live in the memory.
Likewise, Arsenal hitman Ian Wright’s well publicized spat with United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel will be mused upon for ages to come, as indeed will the sniping and digging comments between Wenger and Ferguson.
Arsenal v Manchester United, Five Classic Matches
Picking five classic matches between these two English behemoths does not come easily. Indeed, even seemingly "friendly" matches between the pair have resulted in controversy as was the case in the 2003 Community Shield where Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers was sent off for kicking out at United midfielder Phil Neville.
Nevertheless, from great goals, to flying pizzas and last minute winners, here are some classic matches between North London’s finest and the red half of Manchester.
Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United, FA Cup Semi-Final, 1999
A match for the ages. In what was to be the last ever replied FA Cup semi-final, Arsenal and Manchester United served up an absolute spell-blinding classic.
They say sequels usually surpass the first and after the first match had ended in a dour 0-0 draw, the reply at Villa Park promised much more.
With the pair also going hammer and tongs in the league, the FA Cup semi-final reply had momentum, confidence and belief riding on it.
Manchester United defender David Beckham superbly put Sir Alex Ferguson’s men 1-0 up early in the first half with an exquisite shot past Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman.
Seaman would later go on to save a one-on-one from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the second half before Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp shot home the equalizer.
At one-a-piece, the game was on a knife edge and Gunners hitman Nicolas Anelka had a goal ruled out for offside before United captain Roy Keane was sent-off for a second yellow card.
As the clock ticked into injury-time, Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour was felled by Phil Neville in the United box and referee David Elleray awarded Arsene Wenger’s men a penalty.
Up stepped PFA Player of The Year Dennis Bergkamp, however, Red Devils goalkeeper Peter Schmeichal saved it.
As the match went into the second period of extra-time, United winger Ryan Giggs picked up a stray pass by Patrick Vieira.
The Welshman embarked on a mazy run, beating several Arsenal defenders along the way, before he slammed a savage left foot shot into the roof of Seaman’s net.
Ten-man United held out for a famous 2-1 win and subsequently went on to do the treble shortly afterwards.
Manchester United 6-1 Arsenal, 2001
Manchester United forgotten man Dwight Yorke bagged four goals as United recorded their biggest ever home win over Arsenal.
Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham completed the rout and gave Red Devil fans infinite bragging rights.
For the record Thierry Henry briefly levelled for the Gunners – not that many noticed!
Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal, 2002
After lifting the FA Cup three days previous, Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford seeking to complete a second domestic double.
Having already gone through the entire season undefeated away from home, Arsene Wenger’s men secured a historic 1-0 victory courtesy of Sylvain Wiltord’s fifty-seventh minute drive.
Consequently, the chant “We (Arsenal) won the league at Old Trafford” was born.
Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal, 2004
When Arsenal visited Old Trafford in November 2004 Wenger’s men were embarking on a sensational 49-match unbeaten run spanning three seasons.
After making a blistering start to the 2004/2005 season, expectation was high that the then champions would secure their fiftieth consecutive match without defeat.
After a bad-tempered affair, United striker Wayne Rooney tumbled in the penalty area and referee Mike Riley pointed to the spot.
Arch-Arsenal nemesis Ruud Van Nistelrooy buried the penalty before Rooney sealed the match late on.
At the final whistle a nasty war of words ensued between the two sets of players. Furthermore, Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was pelted with pizza and soup in the tunnel.
But the key thing to emerge was that the previously “Invincible” Arsenal were actually beatable.
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United, 2006
Although not actually in the title race at the time, as well as having fallen behind courtesy of Wayne Rooney’s diving header, Arsenal rallied back and equalized through striker Robin Van Persie eight minutes from time.
Then at the death Arsenal legend Thierry Henry powered home a dramatic injury-time header to send United crashing and seal a sensational win for the Gunners.
Significantly, the first match between the pair at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsene Wenger’s men and fans finally settle in their new stadium.
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