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The Viera Thunderbolt
9th November 1997
Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United
Arsene Wenger’s men took control early on and were 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Viera. The latter was a Patrick Viera special from the edge of the penalty area which curled away from Peter Schmeichel and clipped the bar on the way in. But two Teddy Sheringham goals in the space of 8 first-half minutes put United on level terms as half-time approached.
The second-half was well balanced and evenly fought and it took a looping David Platt header in the 83rd minute to earn the victory for Arsenal.
The Yorke Hat-trick
25th February 2001
Manchester United 6-1 Arsenal
Arsenal knew a victory against United would cut their rivals lead at the top of the Premier League to just the 10 points with 10 games left to play. The incentive was there.
An early Dwight Yorke goal put United ahead but Thierry Henry, like he always seemed to do against United, scored to get the Gunners back into the game. Parity was restored for just the two minutes as Yorke once again put United in front. Just four minutes after that Yorke completed his hat-trick and United were 3-1 up after just 22 minutes of play. Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put United 5-1 up as the teams went in at half-time. Arsenal had nothing left to play for apart from pride. Teddy Sheringham added a sixth in the second-half.
It was a humbling defeat for Wenger and his men but sadly for Arsenal fans it wasn’t the worst result his team has experienced at hands of United..
United Humiliate Arsenal
28th August 2011
Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal
For the opening 20 minutes it was a typical Man United vs Arsenal match with both teams prodding, prying and looking for that opening. Danny Welbeck then made the most of a bouncing ball in the Arsenal area to nod the ball home to put United 1-0 up. Robin Van Persie had the chance to equalise from the spot but David De Gea saved his spotkick and Arsenal just crumbled.
Ashley Young netted twice, Rooney scored two free-kicks and a penalty, Nani and Ji-Sung Park all got on the scoresheet for United as the home side hit a shellshocked Arsenal for 8. Walcott and Van Persie replied for Arsenal but if anything those goals just added to the joke. I’d 8-2 be an Arsenal fan.
Happy Slapping and Pizzagate
22nd November 2003
Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal
No goals in this one but arguably the most memorable match between the two clubs. The video clip of Martin Keown jumping into Ruud Van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman missed a last minute penalty is iconic.
Earlier on in the match the United striker had played a part in getting Arsenal captain Patrick Viera sent off when he faked being kicked by the Frenchman. Van Nistelrooy antagonised the Arsenal team and amped up what was already a hostile environment. It was fortunate the penalty was practically the last kick of the game because the tensions between the teams had reached fever point. The ref would have been reacquainted with his red card had it gone on any longer.
Welbeck’s Return.
9th March 2015
Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal
The magic of the FA Cup, eh?
Former Manchester United player Danny Welbeck scored the winner against his boyhood club at Old Trafford to put them out of the FA Cup. This just months after leaving the club when United boss Louis Van Gaal decided there was no room for him after the club bought Falcao in on loan.
Nacho Monreal had put Arsenal ahead before Wayne Rooney equalised as he finished off a scrumptious Angel Di Maria cross. Welbeck then capitalised on an under-hit Antonio Valencia pass to round David De Gea much to the dismay of the Old Trafford faithful and the delight of the away fans.
