Previous Utd v Arsenal matches

[StuartL]

Thought it may be worth starting a thread for Forum members to reminisce about previous Utd encounters at Old Trafford - thus leaving the match thread itself clear to talk about the upcoming game.
If popular, we could do one regarding all prem matches ?

So, my first Utd v Arsenal match took place on the opening day of the 89/90 season - we took the field as champions, confident, resplendent, while some bloke in a suit (Michael Knighton) who was attempting to buy the Mancs tried some unsuccessful ball juggling on the half way line. We got gubbed 4-1.

The following year I was back to witness a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a cheeky Limpar shot from a short corner that only just crossed the line, but miraculously was given !!!
The game is hardly remembered apart from the mass brawl that erupted between the two sides, with Winterburn receiving a kick to the back by the very brave Brian McClair, while lying on the floor, Limpar lumped someone, and Rocky was keen on taking them on by himself

As a result we got docked 2 points, utd just 1, despite them being the main protagonists and all it did was to give an already solid squad even more of a determination to prove everyone wrong. It also developed a "fuck em all" attitude among the fans -like they are all against us, but who gives a shit, co we are the Arsenal and we are the best.
It also gave us a very nice little ditty which I remember Perry Groves singing at the title celebrations at Islington Town Hall "You can stick your fucking 2 points up your arse"

[northbank123]

Overmars' goal is one of my favourite of all-time and one of the most important goals we've scored under Wenger. The timing of his run, the way he controlled the ball with his head without breaking stride and still managed to leave everyone for dead and then poked the ball away, summed up what a lethal player he could be. And I loved the way he just stood there afterwards. Also Schmeichel hobbling back after pulling a hammy trying to chase back from attacking a set piece was brilliant.

Obviously the 2002 game was a superb night too. Not only did we win the league on their turf, it was a triumph of football over thuggery. Them being reduced to chasing shadows and trying to kick us but still being overpowered summed up our dominance at that time.

Unfortunately there are far more bad memories than fond ones at OT. 6-1, 8-2 and 4-0 are all painful and last year's limp-dicked effort was embarrassing but nothing compares to the anger that the thought of the 50th game causes.

[Perryashburtongroves]

Big Tone diving through the rain and mud to put us 1-up there in 1989, only to score an own goal later on, the brawl a couple of years later, Rocky scoring an amazing chip there in the 1991-92 season, winning there in 1998, 2002 and 2003 in the cup and of course the game in 2003-4 with the cheating horse-faced *word censored* missing the penalty and us getting in his face. As soon as that happened, I knew we would win the league.

[slevinlacey]

I you tubed the words 'Mike' and 'Riley' and 'Arsenal' and brought myself to watching the unbeaten run. 9 minutes plus of shocking decisions. At least two straight red cards missed and not overly flagged by Gray and Tyler, the dive and numerous challenged going unpunished. I don't know how our players didn't bite his nose off that day!

[Nos89]

Best result Ive seen achieve at Old Trafford was the infamous 0-0 2003, watching roy keane walk Vieira off, only to return and berate van divelot for diving, then missing the penalty in last minute, crucial moment in invincible season. Then its a tale of almunia's. League cup debut in which he lets a weak shot squirm through him after 19 seconds, then champions league semi-final 1st leg in which he produced several world class saves, yes world class saves, to keep the score at one nil. A game in which we were completely overrun. Then comes the 8-2, the arshavin pile driver which we ended up losing. TV5 reserve match return. BUT greatest Arsenal game I've ever seen at OT Arsenal 2 Tottingham 1 FA Cup semi final 2001. Majestic.

[nut flush gooner]

BUT greatest Arsenal game I've ever seen at OT Arsenal 2 Tottingham 1 FA Cup semi final 2001. Majestic.

Massive + 1, was an old fashioned derby game with an atmosphere we rarely get these days in the prem.

Us at one end and the scum at the other, and the noise that day was even commented over the tanoy at HT, it was incessant and non stop, 30000 gooners getting behind the side even after the early lucky tottenham goal. We pummelled them for the rest of the match and I was right behind the goal that pires scored cue delirium.

Vs Manure, for me it has to be the FA cup 2003, we where going for the league that season and took the best part of 12000 gooners up. Couldnt believe when wenger didnt play henry from the start, but ryan giggs missed an open goal then edu and wiltord scored for us. Sad that its only one of only four times a wenger team has beaten manure, when we do win though, invariably we win a trophy.

[SteveO 35]

Was there when Overmars scored and was one of the best away days ever. In the blink of an eye the whole title momentum swung our way. Would love to think that we could follow a similar path tomorrow but I'm still very doubtful

One of the best grounds to win at, when you've got 70,000 plastic wankers sat there in disbelief.

Come on you Gunners !

[donaldo]

Of course the magnificent wins in 1998 and 2002 plus the penalty miss by Van Horseface were never to be forgotten stand out moments under Wenger.But in the last 5 years there have been some real horror shows up there.I was there with 9000 others for the FA cup 4-0 surrender in 2008 when the only highlight was Flamini nearly decapitating a showboating Nani. Added to that the 1-0 battering they gave us in the CL semi,the embarassing 8-2 and then another pathetic surrender last year not a happy hunting ground in recent years.Diaby was the last Arsenal player to score a winning goal in these games

[TheCook]

Best atmosphere I have ever heard at a league game was when I went to Old Trafford for the first time in 1996 ; coincidentallythe last time that this fixture was a 3pm Saturday Kick Off. United had been on the wrong end of some famous spankings, 6-3 at Southampton and 5-0 at Newcastle, plus I think they had lost in Europe the previous midweek. Fergie had done his bit with the 'us against them' build up and the home crowd really responded ; it was absolutely deafening.

We lost 1-0, OG from Winterburn (went in off his back I think), and it was actually Wenger's first defeat in a League game.

[TheCook]

I was working nights during the 97-98 season, so finished at 6am Saturday morning and went straight to Euston to get the train to Manchester for the lunchtime Kick off. An amazing result and the atmosphere and the celebrations in the away end were fantastic ; the momentum had shifted, but I think we were still six points behind at this point (with 3 games in hand?).

Was so wired after the result, I was awake all through the journey home, and skipped off the train, straight into another scheduled night shift. Driving home at 7am the following morning, I was so tired I was hallucinating and stopping for imaginary pedestrians at zebra crossings.

[TheCook]

01-02 will never be bettered though. Quite simply the best night ever. Seeing that gold kit still gives me wood.

Finally got back to my car to two flat tyres and 'MUFC' scratched in the passenger side door. There were no AFC stickers or minikits, but it was obvious any car left behind was an Arsenal one, as we were all still in the ground celebrating.

[StuartL]

So any more recollections to share, feel free to add