Five of the best Premier League games between Arsenal and Manchester United

Five of the best Premier League games between Arsenal and Manchester United

Pizzagate. Martin Keown jumping around like a lunatic next to Ruud van Nistelrooy. Vieira versus Keane.

OK, those memories are now getting on for two decades old, but there is no doubt that Arsenal against Manchester United is still one of the iconic Premier League fixtures.

The rivalry may not be as intense as when both sides were gunning for silverware in the heydays of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson but Saturday's clash offers a great opportunity for Mikel Arteta's improving side to deal a blow to this United team's chances of ending their title drought.

Ahead of the latest clash, we've picked out five of the best matches between these two heavyweights of the English game.

November 9, 1997 – Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United

Clashes against United in the early years of the Premier League were, more often than not, quite cagey and low-scoring.

But that all changed one action-packed Sunday afternoon at Highbury in a rollercoaster contest.

Nicolas Anelka and Patrick Vieira's screamer opened up a two-goal cushion for the hosts inside 27 minutes but Teddy Sheringham's brace had United level by the break.

The second half remained on a knife edge until, with seven minutes to play, Nigel Winterburn's corner was met by David Platt.

His header spiralled away from Peter Schmeichel's despairing dive and into the top corner to hand Wenger his first win over the man who would become his great rival and set Arsenal on their way to a first title under the Frenchman.

According to Ian Wright, this game "was the start of the proper battle between Arsenal and Manchester United. The noise was brilliant, it was intense and it was a fantastic atmosphere."

October 1, 2000 – Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United

This game is memorable for one moment of magic.

For all the incredible goals Thierry Henry scored in an Arsenal shirt, this is one that always finds its way on to his highlight reels – and deservedly so.

Nothing looked on when Gilles Grimandi slid a pass into his fellow countryman half an hour into this clash at Highbury but what happened next will be etched in the minds of Gooners everywhere.

Henry flicked the ball up and, in the same motion, sent a thunderous volley past the helpless Fabian Barthez from 25 yards out to set Arsenal on their way to three points.

Sky Sports' co-commentator that day, Andy Gray, described it as "one of the best goals ever scored at Highbury" – few in the crowd that day would disagree.

May 8, 2002 – Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal

From one Frenchman to another. Sylvain Wiltord may not have quite had the impact of Henry in North 

London but his winner in this game at Old Trafford to seal the double means his name will always bring back fond memories.

Having beaten Chelsea 2-0 to lift the FA Cup four days earlier, Wenger took his charges to Old Trafford knowing victory would be enough to wrap up his and Arsenal's second domestic double in four years.

The Gunners had scored in every Premier League game of the season going into this one but had to be patient in a first half which saw the visitors kicked off the park, with Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane all guilty of awful challenges.

Twelve minutes into the second half came the moment the travelling hordes were waiting for, as Freddie Ljungberg – on a hot streak at the time – found space in the area.

The Swede's shot was saved but Wiltord was on hand to convert the rebound and send the Gunners into dreamland.

January 21, 2007 – Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

This was a victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.

After a goalless first half, the game sprung into life after the break when Wayne Rooney headed home Patrice Evra's cross.

Arsenal were still trailing going into the final seven minutes but equalised through Robin van Persie, who converted Thomas Rosicky's cross before embarking on a celebration which resulted in a broken foot.

There was still time for the hosts to find a winner and it came from that man Henry, who was left unmarked to head home Emmanuel Eboue's centre and spark jubilant scenes around the Emirates in the first game between these two sides played at the stadium.

This also completed a double over United, something Arsenal have not done since – could that change this weekend?

October 4, 2015 – Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United

Going into this game, Arsenal had not beaten United in the Premier League since May 2011. 

In between had been the horrors of an 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford and the inevitable sight of Robin van Persie scoring against the Gunners after his move to the north-west.

On this occasion, however, it was Arsenal who dominated as an explosive start put the game to bed inside the first 20 minutes.

Alexis Sanchez got the ball rolling, neatly flicking in Aaron Ramsey's cross, and Mesut Ozil doubled the lead just 74 seconds later.

Sanchez blasted in a third on 18 minutes as he and Ozil continued to delight the Emirates crowd – this was arguably as close as Wenger came in his later years to recapturing the feelings of his pomp.

Something similar from the current crop on Saturday wouldn't go amiss…

Pictures: Getty Images