Manchester United will travel to Emirates on Sunday to take on struggling Arsenal.
Van Gaal’s team may not be playing consistently free-flowing football, but they continue to get the results as they are looking to challenge for the title for the first time after the departure of Alex Ferguson.
Gunners will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Olympiakos in the Champions League.
Below are the top five matches take place between Arsenal and Manchester United:
1. Competition – FA Cup semi-final replay
Date – 14 April 1999
Score – Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United
After a goalless draw in the first game, a rematch at Villa Park was one of the best games in the history of this competition.
David Beckham opened the scoring for the Red Devils before Dennis Bergkamp equalized and then saw his stoppage-time penalty saved by Peter Schmeichel. Ryan Giggs stole the show in extra time with a run from his half, top class finish and a shirt twirling celebration, which is one of the most memorable moments in the competition history.
2. Competition – Premier League
Date – 8 May 2002
Score – Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal went to Old Trafford knowing they were just one point away from the title. Having won the league at White Hart Lane (1971) and Anfield (1989), Gunners were looking to add Old Trafford to this list. Sylvain Wiltord’s scored the winner in the 55th-minute.
3. Competition – Premier League
Date – 24 October 2004
Score – Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal
Arsenal went into this game on the back of a 49-game unbeaten run. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the spot and Rooney wrapped up the game for United in stoppage time ending Arsenal’s incredible run.
4. Competition – FA Cup Final
Date – 21 May 2005
Score – Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal (Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties)
It was the first encounter between the sides of Arsene Wenger, and Sir Alex Ferguson in the FA Cup final.
United was the dominant force in 120 minutes of the match with Rooney and Nistelrooy hitting the woodwork. Despite Jose Antonio Reyes’s sent off, Arsenal held on and took the game to penalties where Scholes missed the decisive kick.
5. Competition – Premier League
Date – 28 August 2011
Score – Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal
Arsenal went into this match with a side depleted by injuries and suspensions. United took advantage of the situation with Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick, Ashley Young with a double and one each from Danny Welbeck, Nani and Ji-Sung Park. Theo Walcott and Van Persie scored for Arsenal.
