Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Top 5 moments from traditionally fiery rivalry

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Last updated 12 abril 2025

Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Top 5 moments from traditionally fiery rivalry

While the fixture doesn't come with the same vitriol and unbridled hate present during the Wenger/Ferguson era, the anticipation before a clash between Arsenal and Manchester United continues to be one of the highlights of the Premier League calendar.The two rivals enter Sunday's game with a point to prove, as United looks to maintain its impressive start to a season that's seen it regain a spot at the top of the table for the first time since winning the league in 2013. Meanwhile, Arsenal hopes a victory against the Red Devils will put an end to its run of poor results following a bitterly disappointing loss in the Champions League to Olympiacos.Unfortunately for blood-thirsty football fans hoping to see a bust-up, Sunday's fixture figures to play out in similar fashion to recent matches that have ended, for the most part, without incident, as opposed to the ferocious nature the two teams displayed for the better part of a decade.Here's a look at five of the rivalry's most memorable moments:1999: Ryan Giggs's dramatic winner keeps United's treble hopes aliveThe legend of Ryan Giggs was still in its infancy, but the Welshman's winner in stoppage time of the FA Cup semifinal replay continues to haunt those associated with Arsenal.In a tie that was begging for a hero, a 25-year-old Giggs took it upon himself to keep United's hopes of capturing the elusive treble alive.Giggs, who took advantage of a dreadful giveaway at the halfway line, began his memorable run with a series of head and shoulder fakes before plowing his way into the Arsenal box and unleashing a venomous shot over a defenseless David Seaman to secure victory.2001: Wiltord secures Arsenal double at Old TraffordThere's nothing like securing a trophy in the enemy's stadium, and Arsenal did just that at Old Trafford thanks to Sylvain Wiltord's winner.The north London side only needed a point in the fixture to secure the Premier League crown, but evidently wanted to cement its place as champions with a win, as Wiltord pierced the back of the net. His goal, during his 100th appearance, also ensured Arsenal would capture the double following its FA Cup triumph a week before.2003: Scoreless draw produces epic boutPerhaps the greatest scoreless draw in the Premier League's history was a heated affair between Arsenal and Manchester United.Tensions during the encounter reached a climax when Ruud van Nistelrooy was controversially awarded a penalty kick, to the disgust of Arsenal defender Martin Keown.Fortunately for Arsenal, Van Nistelrooy's effort smacked off the crossbar and Keown promptly confronted the Dutch forward and screamed in his face.2011: Manchester United 8, Arsenal 2Football matches featuring two perennial title contenders aren't supposed to produce 10 goals, especially in the lopsided fashion that was featured in Manchester United's memorable 8-2 win over a struggling Arsenal side.Arsenal, marred in a period of transition following years of success, just couldn't contain the onslaught that led to the team's worst defeat since 1896.The Gunners' injury-riddled side simply failed to find an answer for the Red Devils, and went on to crumble under a barrage of goals from a handful of United players, including a hat trick from Wayne Rooney.2015: Welbeck helps Arsenal eliminate former clubManchester United saw its dreams of winning the FA Cup fade thanks to a goal from a familiar face, as Danny Welbeck guided Arsenal to its second straight final.After manager Louis van Gaal concluded Welbeck was surplus to United's needs, the English forward signed with Arsenal and clearly had something to prove when he scored the winner to lead the north London side past a United team rebuilding from the mess left behind by David Moyes.Arsenal would go on to capture its second consecutive FA Cup trophy two months later in a victory over Aston Villa.
While the fixture doesn't come with the same vitriol and unbridled hate present during the Wenger/Ferguson era, the anticipation before a clash between Arsenal and Manchester United continues to be one of the highlights of the Premier League calendar.The two rivals enter Sunday's game with a point to prove, as United looks to maintain its impressive start to a season that's seen it regain a spot at the top of the table for the first time since winning the league in 2013. Meanwhile, Arsenal hopes a victory against the Red Devils will put an end to its run of poor results following a bitterly disappointing loss in the Champions League to Olympiacos.Unfortunately for blood-thirsty football fans hoping to see a bust-up, Sunday's fixture figures to play out in similar fashion to recent matches that have ended, for the most part, without incident, as opposed to the ferocious nature the two teams displayed for the better part of a decade.Here's a look at five of the rivalry's most memorable moments:1999: Ryan Giggs's dramatic winner keeps United's treble hopes aliveThe legend of Ryan Giggs was still in its infancy, but the Welshman's winner in stoppage time of the FA Cup semifinal replay continues to haunt those associated with Arsenal.In a tie that was begging for a hero, a 25-year-old Giggs took it upon himself to keep United's hopes of capturing the elusive treble alive.Giggs, who took advantage of a dreadful giveaway at the halfway line, began his memorable run with a series of head and shoulder fakes before plowing his way into the Arsenal box and unleashing a venomous shot over a defenseless David Seaman to secure victory.2001: Wiltord secures Arsenal double at Old TraffordThere's nothing like securing a trophy in the enemy's stadium, and Arsenal did just that at Old Trafford thanks to Sylvain Wiltord's winner.The north London side only needed a point in the fixture to secure the Premier League crown, but evidently wanted to cement its place as champions with a win, as Wiltord pierced the back of the net. His goal, during his 100th appearance, also ensured Arsenal would capture the double following its FA Cup triumph a week before.2003: Scoreless draw produces epic boutPerhaps the greatest scoreless draw in the Premier League's history was a heated affair between Arsenal and Manchester United.Tensions during the encounter reached a climax when Ruud van Nistelrooy was controversially awarded a penalty kick, to the disgust of Arsenal defender Martin Keown.Fortunately for Arsenal, Van Nistelrooy's effort smacked off the crossbar and Keown promptly confronted the Dutch forward and screamed in his face.2011: Manchester United 8, Arsenal 2Football matches featuring two perennial title contenders aren't supposed to produce 10 goals, especially in the lopsided fashion that was featured in Manchester United's memorable 8-2 win over a struggling Arsenal side.Arsenal, marred in a period of transition following years of success, just couldn't contain the onslaught that led to the team's worst defeat since 1896.The Gunners' injury-riddled side simply failed to find an answer for the Red Devils, and went on to crumble under a barrage of goals from a handful of United players, including a hat trick from Wayne Rooney.2015: Welbeck helps Arsenal eliminate former clubManchester United saw its dreams of winning the FA Cup fade thanks to a goal from a familiar face, as Danny Welbeck guided Arsenal to its second straight final.After manager Louis van Gaal concluded Welbeck was surplus to United's needs, the English forward signed with Arsenal and clearly had something to prove when he scored the winner to lead the north London side past a United team rebuilding from the mess left behind by David Moyes.Arsenal would go on to capture its second consecutive FA Cup trophy two months later in a victory over Aston Villa.