Arsenal vs. Manchester United: 5 of their best Premier League encounters

#3 Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal – September 21st 2003

United's 0-0 draw with Arsenal in 2003 became known as 'The Battle of Old Trafford'

By 2003-04, following some monumental clashes in the preceding seasons, the rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal was as bitter as it had ever been – and things came to a head in a bad-tempered game in September 2003 that ended 0-0 but was certainly not short on action. After all was said and done, the match was christened ‘The Battle of Old Trafford’.

The fans in attendance at Old Trafford saw few chances; United had just 5 shots on target while Arsene Wenger’s Gunners didn’t even manage one, but the tension in the stadium was unbelievable and the match was heavily marked by some brutal challenges.

The Red Devils committed 13 fouls to Arsenal’s 18, and 4 players were booked on each side – including Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, who was dismissed for a retaliatory kick at United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy following a clash late in the game, despite Arsenal’s players feeling that the Dutchman had feigned injury.

The craziest incident was yet to come, though; with 90 minutes gone, referee Steve Bennett awarded a controversial penalty following a Martin Keown challenge on Diego Forlan. Arsenal’s players were incensed – feeling the Uruguayan had dived – and when Van Nistelrooy’s spot-kick hit the bar, all hell broke loose.

Arsenal players – including Keown, Lauren and Ray Parlour – immediately confronted the Dutchman, with Keown leaping onto his back, and in response a handful of United players became involved, causing a fracas that ended with 6 Arsenal players, 2 United players and the Gunners as a club being charged with improper conduct by the FA.

The Gunners ended up going the full 2003-04 season unbeaten – gaining the Invincibles tag in the process – while their rivalry with United showed no signs of slowing down after this classic showdown.