Arsenal vs Manchester United: 3 Unforgettable Showdowns at the Emirates

04 Dec 2024 ScoreWaves Staff view

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Arsenal and Manchester United share one of the most storied rivalries in English football. Over the years, their clashes have produced iconic moments, heated duels, and unforgettable matches. Among these are a few standout battles at the Emirates Stadium that have left fans breathless. With another mouthwatering clash just around the corner, here are three of the most unforgettable Arsenal vs. Manchester United showdowns at the Emirates.

1) Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United (Premier League 2017)

Some matches are remembered for their dazzling goals, others for the tension of a dramatic finish, and then there are games like Arsenal vs. Manchester United in December 2017, which remain unforgettable due to a singular, extraordinary performance. On this occasion, it was David de Gea’s goalkeeping masterclass that stole the show. Heading into this clash, Arsenal were flying high at the Emirates.

The Gunners were on a remarkable 12-game winning streak in all competitions at home. Their attacking duo of Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez was in full flow, while Alexandre Lacazette was proving to be a reliable finisher. Confidence was sky-high, and the home fans were optimistic about extending their streak against their historic rivals. On the other hand, José Mourinho’s Manchester United came into the match sitting second in the Premier League, but they were eight points behind leaders Manchester City. For United, this game wasn’t just about bragging rights—it was a must-win to keep their title hopes alive. Mourinho, notorious for his pragmatic approach in big games, had something different in store for this fixture.

The match couldn’t have started worse for Arsenal or better for United. Within just four minutes, the visitors capitalized on a defensive error. Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny gifted possession to Antonio Valencia, who played a quick one-two with Paul Pogba before slotting the ball past Petr Čech. The Emirates crowd, stunned into silence, had barely recovered when United struck again just seven minutes later. This time, it was Shkodran Mustafi who was culpable, losing the ball under pressure from Jesse Lingard. Martial, with a deft touch, set up Lingard to fire a clinical finish into the bottom corner. Suddenly, Arsenal were 2-0 down after 11 minutes—a nightmare start.

Despite the early setback, Arsenal roared back into the game. They dominated possession, moved the ball with precision, and created a barrage of chances. Özil and Sánchez orchestrated wave after wave of attack, while Lacazette’s movement continuously stretched United’s defense. The Gunners thought they had pulled one back in the 20th minute when Aaron Ramsey’s clever flick found Lacazette, but the Frenchman’s effort was expertly saved by De Gea. It was a sign of things to come.

As the half wore on, De Gea was called into action repeatedly. His double save in the 32nd minute was the stuff of legend. First, he denied Lacazette’s close-range shot with his legs before instantly springing up to block Sánchez’s follow-up attempt. The crowd at the Emirates was stunned, with Arsenal fans wondering what it would take to beat the Spaniard. Arsenal’s persistence finally paid off early in the second half. In the 49th minute, a well-worked move saw Ramsey square the ball for Lacazette, who smashed it past De Gea to halve the deficit.

The Gunners continued to press, but their attacking intent left them vulnerable to United’s counter-attacks. In the 63rd minute, United delivered the sucker punch. Pogba burst down the right flank, using his strength and vision to outmuscle Koscielny and pick out Lingard with a precise pass. Lingard, unmarked, calmly slotted the ball into the net, restoring United’s two-goal cushion at 3-1. Arsenal didn’t back down, piling on the pressure and forcing more miraculous saves from De Gea. His tally of 14 saves in the match equaled the Premier League record, as he denied Özil, Sánchez, and substitute Danny Welbeck time and again.

2) Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United (Premier League 2015)

Few games have showcased Arsenal’s attacking flair as brilliantly as this one. On a crisp October afternoon, Arsène Wenger’s side delivered a scintillating first-half performance, dismantling Manchester United with three goals in the opening 20 minutes. From the outset, Arsenal were relentless. Alexis Sánchez, Mesut Özil, and Theo Walcott led the charge, moving the ball with dazzling speed and precision. In the 6th minute, Arsenal struck their first blow. A clever flick from Sánchez at the near post, following a low cross from Özil, left David de Gea rooted to the spot.

Just a minute later, Özil got on the scoresheet himself. A swift counter-attack saw Walcott lay the ball off to the German playmaker, who calmly slotted it past De Gea to double Arsenal’s lead. United were shell-shocked, unable to cope with the Gunners’ pace and creativity. In the 19th minute, Sánchez produced a moment of magic. Cutting inside from the left, he unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner, making it 3-0. The Emirates erupted, and Wenger’s men were in dreamland.

Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United tried to regroup, but their attempts to claw back into the game were thwarted by a disciplined Arsenal defense. Petr Čech made a few smart saves, particularly from Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial, but United never truly looked like mounting a comeback. Arsenal shifted gears in the second half, focusing on controlling possession and nullifying United’s attacks. They could have added more goals, with Walcott and Sánchez missing opportunities, but the damage had already been done. This emphatic victory not only boosted Arsenal’s confidence but also served as a reminder of their attacking prowess. For United, it was a humbling defeat that exposed their vulnerabilities.

3) Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United (Premier League 2023)

When Arsenal hosted Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on a chilly January evening, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Arsenal were in the thick of a title challenge, sitting atop the Premier League table and brimming with confidence. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United were rejuvenated, showcasing a newfound identity and hungry to spoil the party for their old rivals. What followed was one of the most exhilarating matches of the 2022/23 season.

The game kicked off with both sides showing attacking intent. The midfield battle was intense, with Thomas Partey and Casemiro—two of the league’s best defensive midfielders—trying to outmaneuver each other. It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken. In the 17th minute, Marcus Rashford delivered a moment of magic that silenced the Emirates. Picking up the ball outside the box, he skipped past Partey with a deft turn and unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards out that flew into the bottom corner. Aaron Ramsdale had no chance, and United were 1-0 up, with Rashford’s celebration reflecting his growing stature as one of the Premier League’s best forwards.

But Arsenal, as they had done so often during the season, responded swiftly. Just seven minutes later, Granit Xhaka swung in a delightful cross from the left, and Eddie Nketiah rose above Aaron Wan-Bissaka to head home from close range. The Emirates erupted, and the game was back on level terms at 1-1. Both managers made subtle tactical adjustments as the game progressed. Ten Hag instructed Bruno Fernandes to drop deeper to create overloads in midfield, while Arteta encouraged Ødegaard to push higher up the pitch, linking up with Saka and Nketiah. The second half began with Arsenal taking control of possession, pushing United onto the back foot. In the 63rd minute, Saka delivered a moment of brilliance. Cutting inside from the wing, he unleashed a curling effort from outside the box that bent around David de Gea and nestled into the far corner. The Emirates exploded, as the Gunners took the lead for the first time.

But in the 59th minute, a scramble in the box saw Lisandro Martínez react quickest to loop a header over Ramsdale, restoring United’s parity. It was Martínez’s first goal for the club, and his passionate celebration highlighted how much it meant. As the clock ticked down, Arsenal turned up the heat. Nketiah had a shot blocked, Ødegaard saw an effort deflected wide, and De Gea made a couple of crucial saves to keep United in the game. The tension was palpable, with both sets of fans holding their breath during every attack.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Arsenal delivered the knockout blow in the 90th minute. A deflected shot from Ødegaard found its way to Nketiah, who cleverly flicked the ball past De Gea with the outside of his boot. VAR took a long look to ensure there was no offside, but when the goal was finally confirmed, the Emirates erupted in jubilation. It was Nketiah’s second goal of the night and his fifth in as many games. This thrilling win solidified Arsenal’s position at the top of the Premier League table, five points clear of Manchester City. It also marked a turning point in their campaign, giving the players and fans a renewed belief that they could end their 19-year title drought.

Also Read: Arsenal vs Manchester United Match Prediction, Fantasy Football Tips and Possible Starting XI