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6 of the most memorable games between Arsenal and Manchester United

By on December 30, 2024

Arsenal and Manchester United have a rivalry going back almost 30 years and the two clubs have produced some of the most memorable games in recent history. The famous Wenger vs Fergie battles will go down in history and the two legendary managers produced some of the best teams in living memory that went head-to-head for Premier League titles in the mid-90’s and 2000’s. The games during that period were intense, with tensions often boiling over leading to clashes between the players and even the managers on the touchline.

While Arsenal and Man Utd may not have enjoyed the same success over the past decade since Wenger and Fergie left their respective roles, it’s still one of the most highly-anticipated fixtures in the league calendar. Manchester United vs Arsenal tickets always sell out with supporters expecting another thriller every time the two clubs butt heads.

Let’s look back on some of the most memorable games between Arsenal and Manchester United:

Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal – Battle of the Buffet

Not a game Arsenal fans will want to remember, but it will still go down as one of the most famous clashes in Premier League history. Arsenal went into the game as champions following their ‘Invincible’ season and were on a 49-game unbeaten run. That run ended in highly controversial circumstances at Old Trafford in October, 2004. In a close, tense, game, the turning point came in the 73rd minute when Wayne Rooney dived to win a penalty for United. Ruud van Nistelrooy converted before Rooney sealed a 2-0 win late on.

Arsenal were not only furious with the penalty decision, but they felt they had been on the wrong end of several other calls during the game. Tempers boiled over after the game with the two squads clashing in the tunnel, and Cesc Fabregas famously hit Sir Alex Ferguson with a slice of pizza during the melee. The painful defeat derailed Arsenal’s campaign and handed Man Utd the momentum to go on an reclaim the title.

Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal – Overmars wins it

Arsenal went to Old Trafford on March 14, 1998, sitting six points behind leaders Man Utd with three games in hand, so this game would prove pivotal in the title race. It was another close battle between the two English giants but Arsenal grabbed a vital victory late on through Dutch winger Marc Overmars.

Dennis Bergkamp flicked on Martin Keown’s long ball and Overmars raced clear to slot through Peter Schmeichel’s legs with just over 10 minutes remaining. Arsenal held on to secure a famous 1-0 win which swung the title race in their favour. The Gunners went on to win a Premier League and FA Cup double in Wenger’s first full season in charge.

Man Utd 0-0 Arsenal – the brawl

After year of dueling it out, tensions finally boiled over at Old Trafford when Arsenal played Manchester United in September 2003. There was very little to separate the two teams but United were handed the ascendency when Patrick Vieira was sent off in controversial circumstances. The Gunners skipper was shown a second yellow card for kicking out as United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. The kick didn’t find it’s intended target but the Dutchman still faked contact which led to Vieira’s dismissal.

Van Nistelrooy would later go down in the box to win Man Utd a late penalty. However, the United hitman crashed his effort off the bar prompting Martin Keown to over-celebrate in the strikers face. The antagonistic act led to a huge 20-man brawl with several players later slapped with suspensions and fines by the FA. 10-man Arsenal held out to secure a 0-0 draw, which proved crucial in their march towards an unbeaten title-winning season.

Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal – league win at OT

The Gunners went to Old Trafford in May 2002 for the penultimate game of the season sitting top of the table and knowing a win would wrestle the title away from Fergie’s men – who had won the previous three titles. Manchester United came into the game following a painful Champions League semi-final defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal took full advantage.

In yet another closely fought game at Old Trafford, the Gunners took the lead in the 57th minute through Sylvain Wiltord. Arsenal held out to secure a memorable 1-0 win to clinch the title at the home of their closest rivals and celebrated their success in front of the away fans. Wenger had guided Arsenal to a stunning 12-game winning run en route to winning the title as part of another league and cup double in 2002.

Arsenal 3-2 Man Utd

This is perhaps where the Arsenal vs Man Utd, and Wenger vs Fergie, rivalry really began. Ferguson was critical of Wenger following his arrival in 1996 saying the Frenchman knew nothing about English football. The Scotsman was riled further after tasting his first defeat at the hands of Wenger when the two sides met at Highbury in November 1997.

Arsenal had enjoyed an excellent start to the season so Fergie’s United went to North London looking to put them in their place. However, a vibrant Arsenal were 2-0 up before half-time thanks to goals from Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira. United hit back to level things up thanks to a quick-fire double from Teddy Sheringham. But Arsenal clinched a vital three points as David Platt headed home late on to seal a 3-2 win.

The victory moved Arsenal to within one point of leaders United in the table and it signalled to Ferguson that the Gunners were going to be a real threat under Wenger. The North Londoners went on to win the title and a fierce rivalry was born.

Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd

As Arsenal and Manchester United continued to battle it out for another Premier League title, the games between the two clubs had extra significance. In November 2001, Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners at Highbury and that result played a crucial role in the subsequent title win.

It wasn’t all plain sailing as Paul Scholes gave United an early lead, but Arsenal levelled things up shortly after the break when Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg combined to make it 1-1. With just 10 minutes left, Arsenal pushed for a winner and were gifted it on a plate when United goalkeeper Fabian Barthez sliced his clearance straight to Thierry Henry who took full advantage to make it 2-1 to the Gunners. Just minutes later, another error from Barthez allowed Henry to score a third goal to seal a 3-1 win as Arsenal stormed to the title.