1990 – The Beginning
In reaction to a late challenge, McClair kicked Winterburn repeatedly, as he lay prone on the ground, igniting a 21 man fracas. FA docked Manchester United a point and recouped two points from Arsenal (who went on to win the 1990-91 league title). The Arsenal-Manchester United Rivalry was officially inaugurated!.
1996-2001 – The War of Words
The war of words started between Arsene and Fergie. Some of the exchanged verbal attacks included:
“I’ve got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast, he speaks five languages.” – Fergie, on arrival of Arsene in England in 1996.
“It’s wrong the league programme is extended so United can rest up and win everything.” – Arsene complaining about Manchester United’s fixture list in
1997.“They wouldn’t have waited for three months if it was a United player…….our disciplinary record is tremendous. I’m very proud of it.” – Fergie on the delay of disciplinary hearings on Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry.
“One thing I will say is that he doesn’t disturb my nights at all. We didn’t do anything, but if we are clever, that’s a compliment.” – Arsene responded.
- The Tiffs, The Kicks and The Pizzas10 years later after the first official kick, came the most fiercest period of rivalry between the two clubs. In the course of 2001-2005, EPL witnessed Kanu leaping over Wiltord to claim the title for Arsenal in 2001-02 at Old Trafford; Van NistelRooy missing the penalty and antics of Lauren and Keown; much-yearned battleground tiffs and the famous tunnel incident between Vieira and Keane before the kick-off; Neville’s frolics to kick every Arsenal player in the midfield, Rooney’s dive to break the gunners’ 49 unbeaten in league record and pizza chucked at Fergie after United 2004 victory at O.T.(In his autobiography, Ashley Cole made us yawn by giving the hint that the arsenal player behind the pizzagate incident was neither english nor french. Loser! i just can’t avoid him) and the list goes on.
Champions League Semi-Final 2009
After defeating Arsenal on aggregate 4-1, Evra declared “We were 11 men and they were 11 children.”. And these words are still alive in the heart of every gooner
Today - 29th August, 2009
Arsenal and Manchester United are back again today to lock their horns at Old Trafford. And, God and I yearn once again for a footclassical clash of the titans and the march of two clubs to the warpath of old rivalry.
Both the clubs have been weekend in the summer. As a tradition for both the clubs – Heroes came, Heroes Left.
But clubs will continue!
Today’s tie is just not just Arsenal against Manchester United for 3 points. Its beyond that.
Today’s tie could give a massive boost to Arsenal squad to firmly set on 2009-10 title challenge.
Today’s result may bring back the old days of Arsenal’s premier league authority.
Today’s tie may rekindle the old but subdued rivalry.
Today’s tie can prove it once again that Arsenal Manchester United Rivalry is indeed a Vintage Affair to cherish about.
Come on Gunnersssssssssss, Show them what you’ve got!
Roll on 9:45 pm !
Here is a preview video compiled by Comp-Art using latest clips.
Ciao.
God is a Gooner. Cheers!
2 comments:
Good post !
However as Fergie claims the rivalry began in a match in 1987 in which Norman Whiteside sent off, I think.
Of the Big four clashes, Arsenal - Utd have always been the best, the most entertaining. The 4-2 at Highbury is the best one can get.The rivalry seems to have cooled off a little though, but it would be nice if Arsenal revived their hopes and pushed United all the way. The rivalry always brought the best out of both the teams.
The Keown-Lauren incident was a disgrace, always hated Keown anyway. The 4-2 match I mentioned or the 2-2 a couple of season back,the end of Arsenal's run, all these games were highly entertaining, highly intense but not as disgraceful as that match. It was sad to see Arsene come out and denigrate Ruud by calling him not a worthy footballer. Arsene has always been bitter in defeat anyway. Thats for another day.
Another highly entertaining match was the 2004 FA cup final, highly entertaining but went to the penalties and the better team lost.
Regarding the pizzagate incident, didn't Cole actually write that it was a Spanish player who did that ?
Disgrace - There are kinds. U might have missed those dressed in red.
It was 2005 FA cup final.
I dont think cole directly said spanish. He gave an indirect hint for a spanish player.
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