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Arsenal's Thierry Henry v Manchester United's Paul Scholes: Their best games against each other
Ahead of the Arsenal versus United match this weekend, Goal.com presents to you the best performance of the two returning legends…
20-Jan-2012 4:55:00 PM
By Anirvan Sengupta
Goal.com
When the word “bitter rivalry” is mentioned in context with the era of the English Premier League, no other team personifies the phrase as much as Manchester United and Arsenal. Since the very inception of the league, a clash between these two heavyweights has consistently left either or both with a few scars.
Be at the “Battle at Old Trafford” where Ruud van Nistelrooy’s last gasp penalty miss evoked a scream on his face from Martin Keown, or the “Pizzagate” incident in 2004, where Manchester United broke Arsenal’s 49 game unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory after which food was thrown at the victorious Red Devils, or even Roy Keane and Patrick Viera’s constant on and off pitch clashes, Arsenal versus Manchester United is a fixture that enthusiasts look forward to, for the sheer pace and quality that they always bring out.
Even though, at present both managers and teams actually respect each other (despite Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger constantly digging swipes at each other only about a decade ago) history has provided out a number of games where these to have produced fiery magic on pitch.
And this Sunday marks the return of two pivotal characters in this intense rivalry...
Henry’s contribution to Arsenal was more than the 227 goals he scored for them; he was a talisman, a source of positive energy. And no other team will feel a slight shiver down their spine than Manchester United given that he is back among the ranks of Arsenal. Even when not at his best, Henry has somehow always saved his best whenever he lines up against the Red Devils. Be it the goals he scored at Highbury in October 2000 and in March 2003-04 (the best long range effort of the season) or how he capitalized on the errors in November 2001 when the Gunners blasted a fragile United defence 3-1. But his most telling moment came in the game against United on 21st January 2007, despite Arsenal not winning the league.
It was an occasion to mark, being the 200th meeting between the rivals hence giving both a clear reason to win it. And it began as fiercely as this contest has ever started. Manchester United were clearly the dominating side as they raced past the Gunners at the Emirates. Then just as the home fans had leaped for joy, thinking Henry had won a penalty after being tripped by Garry Neville, the referee let the incident go past him. It proved pivotal as Wayne Rooney headed the visitors into the lead. Wenger put all his strikers on the pitch, bringing on Robin van Persie. And the positive attitude paid dividends. In the 83rd minute, Tomas Rosicky crossed low into the box, and instead of striking it, Henry allowed the ball to run past him into the incoming Van Persie who equalized. Although it was well taken, Henry demonstrated a true striker’s spirit and a captain’s vision by allowing Van Persie through. And he once again showed why he is among the best poachers in the world, when he met Emmanuel Eboue’s cross to head home the winner in the 90th minute.
Not the most eye catching Arsenal performance but it was the most effective one in recent years as the team showed a trait they clearly lack, the hunger to kill games off when it counts. The red half of North London is hoping that winner’s instinct comes back, with the return of the King.
Though he has been acclaimed as one of the greatest central midfielders, Paul Scholes always brought out his darker side when it came to facing Arsenal. Gladly wearing the mask of a tyrant, switching beauty for dirt; he was a beast when Arsenal were around.
Probably that is what prompted Arsene Wenger to say his tackles are”unfair” and not clumsy because his team has faced it the most. However there are examples of his creative side, notably in the FA Cup quarter finals in 2010 where he sprayed the ball like brandishing a wand in just 10 minutes.
But his most influential contribution to this rivalry came on December 7, 2002 at Old Trafford. A match of critical importance as a win would take the hosts just 3 points behind the visitors. And Arsenal were in free scoring mode, having scored in their 55 previous league games and on top of the League. United had Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Quinton Fortune missing through injury and Roy Keane through suspension.
Since Keane was missing it fell on Scholes to drop back to shelter the defence when required. And he did so expertly alongside Phil Neville who frustrated the Arsenal attacking line. Scholes had nullified the presence of Patrick Vieira, but two runs from the deep showed his class.
In the 21st minute when a misplaced Arsenal pass found its way to Ruud Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman saw the run of Scholes and passed it on to him. All he did was quite simple, just took the ball and drifted a few feet past Ashley Cole to cross it to the onrushing Juan Sebastian Veron, who stroked it into the net. It was as simple a pass he’s played but putting perfect weight so that Veron need not break his pace and simply score.
He himself put the match beyond doubt in the 72nd minute, meeting another van Nistelrooy pass this time timing his run to perfection and scoring with a typical Scholes finish from outside the box. This victory would propel Manchester United to the 2002-03 title, and Paul Scholes was the architect.
Be at the “Battle at Old Trafford” where Ruud van Nistelrooy’s last gasp penalty miss evoked a scream on his face from Martin Keown, or the “Pizzagate” incident in 2004, where Manchester United broke Arsenal’s 49 game unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory after which food was thrown at the victorious Red Devils, or even Roy Keane and Patrick Viera’s constant on and off pitch clashes, Arsenal versus Manchester United is a fixture that enthusiasts look forward to, for the sheer pace and quality that they always bring out.
Even though, at present both managers and teams actually respect each other (despite Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger constantly digging swipes at each other only about a decade ago) history has provided out a number of games where these to have produced fiery magic on pitch.
And this Sunday marks the return of two pivotal characters in this intense rivalry...
| The King | THIERRY HENRY |
Henry’s contribution to Arsenal was more than the 227 goals he scored for them; he was a talisman, a source of positive energy. And no other team will feel a slight shiver down their spine than Manchester United given that he is back among the ranks of Arsenal. Even when not at his best, Henry has somehow always saved his best whenever he lines up against the Red Devils. Be it the goals he scored at Highbury in October 2000 and in March 2003-04 (the best long range effort of the season) or how he capitalized on the errors in November 2001 when the Gunners blasted a fragile United defence 3-1. But his most telling moment came in the game against United on 21st January 2007, despite Arsenal not winning the league.
It was an occasion to mark, being the 200th meeting between the rivals hence giving both a clear reason to win it. And it began as fiercely as this contest has ever started. Manchester United were clearly the dominating side as they raced past the Gunners at the Emirates. Then just as the home fans had leaped for joy, thinking Henry had won a penalty after being tripped by Garry Neville, the referee let the incident go past him. It proved pivotal as Wayne Rooney headed the visitors into the lead. Wenger put all his strikers on the pitch, bringing on Robin van Persie. And the positive attitude paid dividends. In the 83rd minute, Tomas Rosicky crossed low into the box, and instead of striking it, Henry allowed the ball to run past him into the incoming Van Persie who equalized. Although it was well taken, Henry demonstrated a true striker’s spirit and a captain’s vision by allowing Van Persie through. And he once again showed why he is among the best poachers in the world, when he met Emmanuel Eboue’s cross to head home the winner in the 90th minute.
Not the most eye catching Arsenal performance but it was the most effective one in recent years as the team showed a trait they clearly lack, the hunger to kill games off when it counts. The red half of North London is hoping that winner’s instinct comes back, with the return of the King.
| Ginger Prince | PAUL SCHOLES |
Though he has been acclaimed as one of the greatest central midfielders, Paul Scholes always brought out his darker side when it came to facing Arsenal. Gladly wearing the mask of a tyrant, switching beauty for dirt; he was a beast when Arsenal were around.
Probably that is what prompted Arsene Wenger to say his tackles are”unfair” and not clumsy because his team has faced it the most. However there are examples of his creative side, notably in the FA Cup quarter finals in 2010 where he sprayed the ball like brandishing a wand in just 10 minutes.
But his most influential contribution to this rivalry came on December 7, 2002 at Old Trafford. A match of critical importance as a win would take the hosts just 3 points behind the visitors. And Arsenal were in free scoring mode, having scored in their 55 previous league games and on top of the League. United had Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Quinton Fortune missing through injury and Roy Keane through suspension.
Since Keane was missing it fell on Scholes to drop back to shelter the defence when required. And he did so expertly alongside Phil Neville who frustrated the Arsenal attacking line. Scholes had nullified the presence of Patrick Vieira, but two runs from the deep showed his class.
In the 21st minute when a misplaced Arsenal pass found its way to Ruud Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman saw the run of Scholes and passed it on to him. All he did was quite simple, just took the ball and drifted a few feet past Ashley Cole to cross it to the onrushing Juan Sebastian Veron, who stroked it into the net. It was as simple a pass he’s played but putting perfect weight so that Veron need not break his pace and simply score.
He himself put the match beyond doubt in the 72nd minute, meeting another van Nistelrooy pass this time timing his run to perfection and scoring with a typical Scholes finish from outside the box. This victory would propel Manchester United to the 2002-03 title, and Paul Scholes was the architect.
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