In the 14th FA Cup meeting between the competition's two most successful sides, here's an analysis of the greatest matches between Manchester United and Arsenal in the history of the FA Cup.
In the 13 previous meetings between the two sides, Manchester United have won six times to Arsenal's five. Their latest meeting at Old Trafford ended in disappointment for Arsenal as United overwhelmed them with a 4-0 thrashing in the fifth-round. The Gunners haven't scored in their last three FA Cup matches against the Red Devils.
What is a plus for Arsenal is the fact that in the last nine FA Cup meetings between the two sides, victories have alternated between them.
As always in football, Stats mean nothing and it's the performance that counts. Both teams have experienced a blip recently. Arsenal tragically lost the Carling Cup final a little over a fortnight back, and were then dumped of the Champions League after a 3-1 loss at the Nou Camp in the second leg on Tuesday. United also find themselves in trouble after two consecutive losses in the Permier League, at Chelsea and Liverpool, which has seen them lose their grip on the Premiership title.
With both teams aiming to bounce back, the stage is set for a classic. However, it'll take some action to matchup to the classics the two have played out before. Click 'Start' to begin the slideshow of the top 5 games between the two sides.
It was a season of shock for both Manchester United and Arsenal. Neither had much hope of winning the Premiership, with the emergence of Chelsea, or the Champions League either, as Liverpool scrolled in the Istanbul classic. The FA Cup final remained the sole hope of silverware for the two teams that season, and as the game panned out, it looked as though United would claim the trophy.The Red Devils hit the post through a young Wayne Rooney before Ruud van Nistelrooy's effort came off the crossbar. All this while United completely outplayed Arsenal. However, the Gunners managed to hold on and took the game to penalties. The game turned on its head in the shoot-outs when Scholes’ saw his effort saved crucially by Jens Lehman. That was enough for Arsenal to claim the FA Cup, though, as has been written all too often, they haven’t won anything since. ReutersIt was the season Arsenal went through unbeaten in the league. At Villa Park, they faced their old rival and they set about the right way against them. Arsenal struck the woodwork twice, saw a penalty appeal denied and United keeper Roy Carroll kept out Kolo Toure’s close range effort. However, it all counted for nothing as Paul Scholes rifled Ryan Giggs' cross into the net in the 31st minute to settle the tie 1-0 and send United into the finals.ReutersIn a hard fought encounter, holders Arsenal won 2-0 at Old Trafford. It didn’t start well for United, with Ryan Giggs missing a sitter early on. Arsenal didn’t let up and soon were on their way to victory after goals from Edu and Sylvain Wiltord. What was more of a talking point after the game was the problems the loss created in the United dressing room. An incensed United manager Alex Ferguson kicked a stray boot which, unintentionally, cut David Beckham’s left eyebrow. What followed afterwards is well documented, but Arsenal had the sadistic pleasure of knowing that they’re victory was the immediate cause of the long drawn feud between Ferguson and Beckham.ReutersThis is probably one of the most enticing FA Cup finals in recent memory. However, the fact that it is known as the ‘five-minute final’ served as the reason for the No. 2 spot (the point is debatable. It is just an opinion). Arsenal cruised for the first 85 minutes with goals through Frank Stapleton and Brian Talbot and looked on course to lift the trophy. However, United twisted the game on its head when, with five minutes remaining, Gordon McQueen reduced the deficit. Two minutes later, the Red Devils did the unthinkable and equalized through Sammy McIlroy. What was an unremarkable final for most of the game was now heading into extra-time. Or so they thought. Arsenal weren’t letting go that easy, and in a last ditch effort, Alan Sunderland tapped in at the far post to seal a memorable win for the Gunners.dailymail.co.uk"Butterfinger" chocolate bars are made by Nestle.Reuters