Top 5 crazy moments in the Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry

Manchester United vs Arsenal has been one of the most intense and electric rivalries of English football. When at its peak these matches were certainly more eccentric than the local derbies for both the clubs, majorly due to the stakes involved.A lot of charm and sheen has been washed away due to the demise of Arsenal’s lack of title charges and also partly due to the post-Ferguson era turmoil at United. Things were different in the 1990s and mid-2000s when the clash between the Lords of the London and Moguls of Manchester used to be the blue riband fixture of English football.We look at some insane moments which took place when these clubs went to war with each other in past.

#5 When Wenger saw red at Old Trafford

Arsene Wenger was sent to the stands at Old Trafford in 2009

Arsene Wenger doesn’t have fond memories of Old Trafford. From facing his heaviest defeat as a manager to losing his legendary invincible streak, the Theatre of Dreams is somewhat a Theatre of Nightmares for the Frenchman.

Things got really worse for the Arsenal manager when his title challenging side excruciatingly lost to United at Old Trafford in November 2009. After conceding a half-time lead to the hosts, Arsenal nearly missed out on taking a point as Robin van Persie’s equalizer was ruled out because William Gallas was offside. Wenger lost his cool and kicked a bottle by the touchline which prompted the referee to show him a red card in the dying seconds of stoppage time.

A bewildered Wenger was banished to the stands where he was forced to spend the dying moments of the game amongst the Old Trafford faithful. The Arsenal manager was particularly aghast as he ranted about this in his post-match interview.

Wenger cited ignorance for justifying his offensive behavior. “I didn't know we were not allowed to do that, although it was a good kick,” he said.

“I did it because I was disappointed, not because I thought it wasn't offside. The fourth official called the referee over and he sent me off. I don't know what to say. There were 30 seconds to go and I didn't know where to go.”

#4 Fabian Barthez\'s blunders at Highbury

Thierry Henry got the better of Fabien Barthez at Highbury

Fabian Barthez was brought in to fill in the huge boots of Peter Schmeichel but one thing which will scar his mind forever will be his horror show at Highbury. Barthez joined United with a reputation as he came on the back of success at two back-to-back major tournaments with France.

The Frenchman was known to be an eccentric goalkeeper who did his share of theatrics at every possible opportunity. But he had a dreadful start to the 2001/02 campaign with quite a few howlers between the posts. And one match sticks out in this series of blunders by Barthez and that is his horrific display at Highbury.

The titanic clash was in perfect balance as Paul Scholes’s opener was canceled out by Freddie Ljunberg. The game was heading towards a draw until the French shot-stopper blew it. Despite being under no pressure, Barthez miscued his clearance straight to Arsenal’s talisman Thierry Henry who made no mistake by slotting the ball home.

If this wasn’t enough, the former Monaco man made a mess of a routine long ball as the ball wobbled loose, once again straight to his compatriot Henry’s feet who tapped the ball in from close range to put the match galaxies away from Manchester United’s grasp.

#3 The Brian McClair and Nigel Winterburn fracas

The McClair-Winterburn rivalry is considered by many as the founding stone of the Arsenal-United rivalry. Both the clubs during that period had contrasting fortunes as United were considered as a team in ascendancy while Arsenal a struggling powerhouse.

It was a 5th Round clash in the FA Cup at Highbury. Brian McClair was awarded a crucial penalty in the dying seconds and if the penalty was converted, it would have forced a replay.

McClair missed his spot-kick. But what ensued then on was absolutely hilarious! Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn started giving a mouthful to McClair post his miss. Apparently he chased the Scot all the way to the halfway line to taunt him on his penalty miss.

This incident had a ripple effect a year later when all hell broke loose when Winterburn’s tackle on Dennis Irwin sprung Brian McClair into action. Later on, almost everyone on the pitch were involved in a mass brawl.

“The United players decided it was payback time,” Winterburn recalled in the Independent in 2008. “I remember being on the ground and getting a few kicks in the back – I don't know how many – and then pretty much everyone piled in except the goalkeepers.

“It was all because of something I'd said to Brian McClair after he missed a penalty at Highbury.”

The incident known as the First Battle of Old Trafford kicked started the series of highly competitive matches fought between the two clubs.

#2 Martin Keown vs Ruud van Nistelrooy

Martin Keown (R) taunted Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman missed a penalty at Old Trafford in the dying seconds

An early season clash at Old Trafford in 2003/04 between these rivals was an eventful one as this remembered is more for the antics later in the game. This match is considered to be a cornerstone in what led to the creation of the legendary Invincibles.

Nistelrooy had earlier been involved in sending Patrick Vieira off for Arsenal and Manchester United were awarded a penalty deep into the stoppage time when Martin Keown fouled Diego Forlan inside the box. Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the campaign was under the threat as Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped up to the take spot-kick.

Jens Lehmann’s distractive techniques worked wonders as penalty specialist Van Nistelrooy missed the spot kick. Events unfurled later on were absolutely crazy as a vindicated Martin Keown tried to do a Nigel Winterburn. Keown did his infamous ‘war-dance’ which not only irked 75,000 plus fans inside Old Trafford but also the 11 players in Red on the pitch.

The ‘war-dance’ did its job as both the players entered into a mass brawl after the match ended. This led to the suspension of five Arsenal players including Keown and two Manchester United players.

#1 Pizzagate scandal

The Battle of Buffet at Old Trafford in 2004

No list consisting of Arsenal and Manchester United can be complete without the inclusion of Battle of Buffet – or more commonly known as the Pizza-gate scandal. Almost all of us know about the mystery surrounding the craziest scandal in the British football. The match which marred the end of Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run is one football match etched into the Premier League folklore for more than one reason.

Arsenal were shattered post the death of the Invincibles at Old Trafford or moreover the end of Gunners’ dominance in English football. Sol Campbell’s refusal to shake hands with Wayne Rooney and Arsene Wenger’s confrontation with Van Nistelrooy post the game are few incidents which marred the tie.

One incident that will live on forever from this tie is the pelting of food on then United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson by an unknown Arsenal player, allegedly Cesc Fabregas. The food thrown, too, is a mystery as some say it was pizza while other sait it was peanut butter soup.

Ferguson is still in the dark regarding who the culprit is but Arsene Wenger somehow played coy when quizzed about the real culprit as he backed up the claim made by Martin Keown that it was indeed Cesc Fabregas who threw the pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson,

“I think honestly in the film I know who I would give the role, and you know as well.”

Keown also once said: “Even when it came to the pizza he (Fabregas) had great technique. He threw it like a Frisbee.”

FA demanded an investigation into this but surprisingly both the clubs remained quiet over the matter. Investigation or not, this is by far the most intriguing saga of world football.