The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United is a notable one in English football as both clubs are recognised for having great history and traditions.[1] Although the two clubs have frequently been in the same division as each other since 1919, the rivalry was instigated in 1990, when a brawl resulted in both clubs having points deductions in the Football League First Division.
Arsenal F.C. v Manchester United F.C.
Teams
Arsenal
Manchester United
First meeting
13 October 1894
Newton Heath 3–3 Woolwich Arsenal
Latest meeting
Arsenal 1–3 Manchester United
Premier League
(2 December 2017)
Next meeting
Manchester United v Arsenal
Premier League
(28 April 2018)
Stadiums
Emirates Stadium (Arsenal)
Old Trafford (Manchester United)
Statistics
Meetings total
227
Most wins
Manchester United (95)
Most player appearances
Ryan Giggs (50)
Top scorer
Wayne Rooney (12)
All-time series
Arsenal: 82
Drawn: 50
Manchester United: 95
Largest victory
Manchester United 8–2 Arsenal
(28 August 2011)
Many of the clashes between the two teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s have been due to the teams being fierce rivals in the Premier League and FA Cup. During this period, there was enmity between the two longest serving managers in Premier League history, Arsenal's Arsène Wenger (1996–2018) and United's Sir Alex Ferguson (1986–2013), and their former club captains Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane.[2][3] Both managers spurred each other on for greater success,[4] and the contests often involved on-field trouble – seven red cards were shown in matches from February 1997 to February 2005.[5] The league fixture in September 2003 was marred by a mêlée instigated by Arsenal players, who felt striker Ruud van Nistelrooy had cheated to get Vieira sent off. A season later, Manchester United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run in controversial circumstances, which led to more disorder, this time in the tunnel.
The rivalry under Ferguson and Wenger is considered to have come to a natural end at the 2005 FA Cup Final, given the London club then underwent a period of transitional change. By 2008 former Arsenal player Lee Dixon noted that the rivalry had diminished somewhat,[6] while Ferguson himself stated the two teams have cooled from those previously "heated" exchanges.[1] Various factors have been suggested for the diminishing importance of the rivalry in the 2010s, such as the ascendancy of other clubs including local rivals of both (Chelsea and Manchester City).[7]
Arsenal and Manchester United first played a competitive match in October 1894; as of December 2017, the two clubs have faced each other 227 times in total. United have won 95 to Arsenal's 82, and 50 matches have ended in a draw. Wayne Rooney has scored the most goals in the fixture with 12, while Ryan Giggs has made the highest number of appearances with 50. Several players have featured for both clubs at different stages of their career, including Brian Kidd, Andy Cole, David Platt, Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck and former manager George Graham.
