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To apply a slogan synonymous with the red side of Merseyside – this meant more. Or at least it felt that way.
There was noticeably more crunch on the tackle, clearly sharper on the pass.
‘What a game, it’s a real football game. This is retro Manchester United and Arsenal,” said Gary Neville in his role as co-commentator for Sky Sports.
Eddie Nketiah led the line brilliantly with a brace as Arsenal beat Manchester United
In fact, this was Arsenal against Manchester United as we love to remember it: full speed, relentless, breathless.
It was fitting that Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham were here to witness it all unfold.
Two veterans of this encounter when it was at its uncompromising heyday; a war between two teams at the top of English and European football.
They remember Martin Keown’s animalistic roar in Ruud van Nistlerooy’s face when the Dutchman missed from the spot in 2003.
It came in a superb 3-2 win that puts Arsenal five points clear at the top of the league.
They remember the fight between Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in the Highbury Tunnel two years later.
They remember Sylvain Wiltord scoring at Old Trafford to win the league over Arsenal.
Remember Pizzagate. Remember THAT goal by Ryan Giggs.
That was a golden age that may never be repeated; a fierce conflict between two teams who completely despised each other.
Unfortunately, this once must-see matchup has lost its mystique in recent years; Both great clubs have struggled to match the standards set by their illustrious predecessors.
Arsenal have failed in the post-Arsene Wenger era. Manchester United haven’t fared much better since Ferguson retired.
The game evoked Arsene Wenger’s bitter rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson
Unfortunately, the malaise has been transmitted to the field; For years, this once epic rivalry fell short of the hype.
When there’s nothing but pride, or a top-four spot, on the line, that can often happen.
Nothing triggers those competitive juices, or the “edge,” as the football fraternity describes it, when trophies are on the line.
Yet we have longed for those legendary matchups in the 2000s.
In this evidence, we yearn no more. Arsenal against Manchester United is back, and it’s back with a bang.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in an intensely watchable game
This was a domestic feud that was gripping and captivating in equal measure. You couldn’t take your eyes off him, like it used to be.
United struck first, Arsenal replied. The Gunners stepped forward only to be stopped by Lisandro Martinez. He needed the most marginal of offsides, via VAR, to separate them.
Like two drunken boxers refusing to give up. Arsenal against Manchester United, as it should be.
All the memories came back: no wonder Ferguson, sitting next to United chief executive Richard Arnold, was grinning from ear to ear when the cameras panned to him midway through the second half.
Bukayo Saka also entered the scoring with a brilliant shot from outside the area
It is no coincidence that before this game Arsenal were at the top of the Premier League, while United knew they could be five points behind the leaders with victory.
This box office rivalry is reigniting, mainly because they have more than pride to lose.
You hope, of course, that these unforgettable 90 minutes are not an isolated incident.
English football needs this rivalry.
The evidence indicates that this will become the norm rather than the exception.
Both Arsenal and Erik ten Hag’s United are rising to the top of English football
Mikel Arteta is building something special here at the Emirates Stadium; they looked every inch the Premier League title winners on a tense night. They are finding all the answers at the moment, much to the chagrin of Manchester City.
Similarly, United are heading on an upward trajectory under Erik Ten Hag: what this team may have lacked in attacking cohesion they more than made up for in stamina and will.
Arsenal and United are emerging again as genuine forces. It’s nice to have them back, particularly if they continue to deliver entertainment like this.
This was a football game that will live on in the memory; one brimming with guts and enthusiasm. In the end, the glory belonged to Arsenal.