The five most memorable Arsenal v Manchester United encounters

Manchester United face Arsenal in this weekend’s clash, and while both teams aren’t battling at the top of the table like the good ol’ days, you can be sure that the game will be an intense and entertaining affair.

So what was it like when these two giant sides faced in previous years? As a warm-up for the big game, we take a look back at FIVE memorable Manchester United vs Arsenal encounters in the Premier League era.

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Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal. May 2002.

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The game was not a brilliant display of football, but it will forever be remembered by Arsenal fans as the day they won the league by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Sylvain Wiltord was the hero as he scored the winner in the 58th minute which signified the end to Manchester United’s dominance over the Premier League, and the squad became the foundation of what was to become the Invincibles.

Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal. September 2003.

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Called ‘The Battle of Old Trafford’, The goal-less but tense affair got controversial when Patrick Vieira was sent off for a “kick” towards United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, resulting in the Frenchman receiving a second yellow.

But the clash exploded when Van Nistelrooy proceeded to miss a penalty with virtually the last kick of the match, and the game turned into a brawl after Martin Keown taunted the Dutchman for his subsequent miss.

If that ball went in, then Arsenal would have lost the game, and would have never gone the entire season unbeaten.

Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal. October 2004.

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Over a year later, Ruud Van Nistelrooy managed to avenge his humiliation the previous season by helping United end Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run.

The Red Devils purchased Wayne Rooney at the beginning of the year and the Englishman was fouled by Sol Campbell in the box, allowing Van Nistelrooy to exorcise his demons and put Man United into the lead.

And Wayne Rooney popped up with a late goal to seal the game, making it an extremely happy birthday for Rooney who turned 19 that day.

Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal. August 2011

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The sheer scale of the loss sums up what must be the worst ever Premier League game for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal fans, and thus a memorable encounter.

Danny Welbeck put Man United into an early lead but the game could have been all so different not long later.

Theo Walcott was tripped in the box and Robin van Persie stepped up to talk the penalty, only for new summer signing David de Gea to dive down and save his rather weak attempt.

And from then on the Red Devils went on an absolute rampage, with Rooney scoring a hat-trick and Ashley Young bagging a brace. No one could see any other team dethrone United as champions.

That’s because no one knew how good Sergio Aguero really was after just signing for Manchester City.

Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal AET. April 1999.

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The game will be most remembered for Ryan Gigg’s famous one-man show goal, which actually hides the fact that the match was one of the greatest encounters in the two club’s history.

In an FA Cup semi-final replay, David Beckham put United into the lead but midway through the second-half, Dennis Bergkamp equalized for the Gunners to tie the game at 1-1.

But the game changed completely when United captain Roy Keane was sent off, before Arsenal earned a last minute penalty and it seemed Arsene Wenger’s men would walk away with the title.

However Peter Scmeichel saved Bergkamp’s penalty, forcing the game into extra time in which Giggs decided to ignore all his team-mates and win the game all by himself.

The Red Devils went on to beat Newcastle in the final, and ultimately Bayern Munich in the Champions League showdown to achieve an unprecedented treble.