Arsenal entered Old Trafford on 24 October 2004 as football's untouchables, riding a 49-game unbeaten run in the Premier League that had earned them the legendary title of "The Invincibles." Their imperious form had seen them steamroll through the 2003/04 campaign without a single defeat, a feat unseen in English top-flight football since the late 19th century. But all good things must come to an end, and on a fiery afternoon in Manchester, Arsenal’s record-breaking streak came crashing down in controversial fashion.
October 18, 2005, will forever be etched in the memory of Arsenal fans as the night Thierry Henry cemented his place as the club's greatest-ever goalscorer. In a UEFA Champions League group stage clash against Sparta Prague, Henry’s brace not only secured a 2-0 victory but also saw him surpass Ian Wright’s long-standing record of 185 goals for the club.
The 12th of October 1996 marked the dawn of a new era for Arsenal Football Club as Arsène Wenger took charge of his first game as manager. The Frenchman, relatively unknown in English football at the time, quickly demonstrated the impact he would go on to have, guiding the Gunners to a 2-0 away victory against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
On August 28, 2011, Manchester United faced Arsenal at Old Trafford in what would become one of the most iconic matches in Premier League history. The game ended with an astonishing 8-2 victory for United, marking a day that Arsenal fans would rather forget, while Manchester United supporters celebrated an overwhelming display of dominance. This blog post will delve into the team lineups, the flow of the game, and the aftermath of this memorable encounter.
Facing the likes of Ronaldo (R9), Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, David Trezeguet, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Pavel Nedvěd, Juan Román Riquelme, and other top-class players, Arsenal's defense showcased exceptional resilience and tactical acumen to secure these clean sheets and progress through the tournament. Their defensive performances were integral to Arsenal's success in reaching the Champions League final in the 2005/2006 season.