Arsenal are preparing for one of their biggest fixtures of the season as they travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Mikel Arteta’s side are now looking to consolidate their position in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League given that any realistic hope of the Premier League title has now evaporated.
Robin Van Persie could not choose his favourite manager between Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson and the match is sure to provide some memories for fans from previous historic encounters.
Gary Neville has predicted a draw in the upcoming clash between the two sides and Neville was at the centre of a controversial moment back in 2005 that one Arsenal legend had previously recalled.
Patrick Vieira reveals reason behind infamous Highbury tunnel incident in 2005
Patrick Vieira named Roy Keane as his toughest opponent and the former Arsenal captain went face to face with Keane during an infamous incident in the Highbury tunnel back in 2005.
Manchester United had ended Arsenal’s 49 game unbeaten run earlier that season and the game at Highbury came at the height of the two club’s fierce rivalry. Vieira once revealed however, that it wasn’t Keane who caused the argument before the game.
Speaking on ITV’s coverage of EURO 2020, Vieira explained it was Neville who caused the incident, he stated: “It was this kind of rivalry between the two clubs, as an Arsenal player you always wanted to play against the best and at that time United was the best team.
“It was challenging, it was tough, it was really difficult and one of Gary’s [Neville] strengths was intimidating players and that’s what he did really well.”
Vieira went on to explain: “At the time I was getting really frustrated at the number of fouls he was given away and the aggressiveness shown towards our players, so as a captain, as a leader I wanted to put him under pressure.”
Neville goes on to claim that Vieira was chasing him up the tunnel after the warm up, to which Neville’s captain Keane took a disliking to and ultimately ended up in the infamous confrontation between the skippers.
Manchester United bullied Arsenal in 2004 Old Trafford defeat
The game that Vieira was referring to was Manchester United’s 2-0 win Arsenal in 2004 that ultimately ended the famous 49 game unbeaten run from the Gunners.
United’s game plan was clear from the start, they were going to be physical with Wenger’s side and at times their physicality bordered on becoming out of control.
Neville particularly made several cynical fouls on Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes and the Gunners could not hide their anger at the leniency from referee Mike Riley.
United won the game 2-0 with goals from Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney but the game will forever leave a sour taste in the mouths of all Arsenal fans that witness that match.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
