Arsenal vs Man Utd: A classic rivalry enters a new era

Arsenal take on Manchester United on Wednesday evening in a modern retelling of a classic tale that saw much success for both clubs.

The rivalry between the two sides no longer reaches the heights it used to with the days of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson far behind us.

Despite this, the appointment of Ruben Amorim as United manager and Arteta's continued success at the helm of the Gunners brings the potential for this classic rivalry to enter a new era.

The classic rivalry

The rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United became fierce in the late 1990s when Arsene Wenger took his side from fighting for the European places to challenging for the Premier League title.

For several years, the two clubs were the main contenders for the league title, often a two-horse race. This rivalry was clear both on and off the pitch, as it extended to managers and players. Wenger and Alex Ferguson, along with their respective captains Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane, shared heated feuds.

Wenger oversaw 16 victories against Ferguson's United but fell to his rival on 23 occasions.

Several notorious fixtures were played out by the two clubs over the years such as the Battle of Old Trafford during Arsenal's 'Invincibles' season and the 'Pizzagate' match that saw their unbeaten streak ended.

It was not just the league that entertained this rivalry with it stretching to the FA Cup and Champions League. The two sides played out some great games in either competition.

The severity of this rivalry faded in the late 2000s due to Arsenal's failure to continuously challenge for the league and other teams rising to the top.

A new era

This rivalry has resurfaced in recent years, with social media playing a key role. The virtual world has revived fans 'hatred for one another's clubs.

There is still much anticipation surrounding this fixture even after the two sides' occasional struggles over the past decade or so.

Mikel Arteta has helped his side dominate the rivalry since his appointment in 2019, winning six of the nine games he has managed against United. The Spaniard has overseen some brilliant victories against the Red Devils.

The appointment of Ruben Amorim could now mark the start of a new era for this classic rivalry. With him and Arteta both having long-term plans for their respective clubs, they could face off plenty in the coming years.

The two managers have already encountered one another with Amorim's Sporting CP side knocking Arteta's Arsenal out of the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League in a penalty shootout. As a result, there may already be some animosity among the pair.

With Manchester City's future uncertain and the threat of losing key players looming over Liverpool, there may be room for Arsenal and Man United to become the main contenders again. It is entirely possible that under the leadership of Arteta and Amorim, this rivalry could enter a new title-challenging era.

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