In the late 90's and early 2000's when the two clubs locked horns, the entire country took notice as more often than not the result played a big part in deciding where the title ended up at the end of that season. For eight seasons running, the league title ended up at either Highbury or Old Trafford, as the rivalry went to new heights.

Arsenal, hit by injuries and suspensions, were forced to start with youngsters Carl Jenkinson, Francis Coquelin and Armand Traore, while at Old Trafford questions were being asked off Edwin van der Sar's replacement David de Gea, who had almost cost United three points after his howler against West Brom. After a few early exchanges, United took the lead through Danny Welbeck, who just headed the ball over Wojciech Szczesny as the Arsenal defence went to sleep, letting a high ball bounce in their box. Arsenal, however, fought back and had the chance to level things up five minutes later when Jonny Evans brought down Theo Walcott in the United box. Arsenal captain Robin van Persie took the responsibility for the spot-kick, but found de Gea up for the challenge as the latter palmed the ball away for a corner to keep United's lead intact.

Arsenal did score just before half-time when Walcott put the ball in through de Gea's legs, but by then United had already scored two more thanks to an Ashley Young curler and a Wayne Rooney free-kick. In the second half, Arsenal just crumbled under pressure as Rooney, Nani and Ji- Sung Park scored in a matter of six minutes to put the game to rest with twenty minutes left on the clock. Things got worse for Arsenal as they were down to ten men for the third time in as many games when Jenkinson was sent off for a foul on Javier Hernandez. Rooney completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Young made it 8 in the dying embers of the game.

Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal - 2003/04

You might have heard of the "Battle of Old Trafford", this is that game. Even though it was a goal-less draw, early on in the season, it would have a lasting effect on Arsenal. Very rarely do goal-less matches make it into any lists, but this one has earned its place in the rivalry for what happened in the latter parts of the match and the carnage it left behind. 

The game was a fairly uneventful one with neither team creating any clear-cut chances. The match looked to be heading for a stalemate as the game entered the last 10 minutes. But when Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira picked up a yellow card, the game jumped to life. Ruud van Nistelrooy's untidy tackle on Vieira, a couple of minutes later, led the Frenchman to lash out with a kick directed at the Dutchman. Although the Arsenal skipper did not make contact with the United striker, referee Steve Bennett decided to issue a second yellow card leaving Arsenal a man short for the final ten minutes.

Following the final whistle, Arsenal players Martin Keown, Lauren and Ray Parlour confronted van  Nistelrooy, with the former swinging his arm at the striker. United players Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo got involved in the confrontation and were joined by Ashley Cole and Lehmann as well. The FA charged all the players along with Vieira, but it was Arsenal who had the last laugh as not only did they win the league, but also the "Invincibles" did it without losing a single match.

12 months on from the "Battle of Old Trafford", the press named the next game at Old Trafford the "Battle of the Buffet" because Cesc Fabregas allegedly threw pizza slices at Sir Alex Ferguson in the tunnel after the match. It is one of the most ill-tempered games I have ever seen, and it will be remembered as the game that ended Arsenal's 49-match unbeaten streak.

The biggest decision that went United's way was, however, the penalty awarded to them when Riley adjudged Sol Campbell to have tripped Rooney inside the 18-yard-box. Replays suggested that there was no contact, and yes United fans that is the very definition of a dive. Ruud van Nistlerooy buried the ghost of Old Trafford to score at the Stretford end to put United ahead and his celebration showed just how much the goal meant to him.

Rooney added insult to injury when he finished the game off in injury time by scoring a second and ending Arsenal's incredible run. The second game of the season resulted in a fight in the tunnel before the game, but that is a story for a different time.

I am sorry Arsenal fans, but I am picking on you. It's just that you have won just 3 games at Old Trafford since the inception of the Premier League. This game makes the list, not just because of the impressive scoreline, but because Wenger accepted defeat in the league race in February. Before the game, Arsenal were a massive 13 points behind the leaders as they travelled to Manchester in the hopes of rekindling the title race, having been just one of two teams to have beaten United that season.

United added a couple of more goals in the first half itself through Roy Keane and Ole Gunner Solskjær to put United in total control at 5-1. Substitute Teddy Sheringham added another one in injury time to give the scoreline a routish look. When asked after the game if the 16-point difference meant that the title race was over, Wenger quietly replied that it was over before the match.

United lost their last three games on the trot, but the title had been sealed way before that time.

Going into the final two games of the season, there were still three contenders for the title. The usual suspects, Arsenal(81) and United(76), were joined by a Michael Owen inspired Liverpool(77) in the top-3. With Arsenal yet to travel to the theatre of dreams, the title race was considered to be very much wide open. 

In the second half, it was Arsenal who struck the only goal of the game when Freddie Ljungberg got on the wrong side of Blanc, but Barthez made a sharp save going down to his right side. However, the Frenchman could not palm the ball away to safety and it fell straight in the path of the onrushing  Wiltord. The French striker made no mistake as he sidefooted the ball into the goal to not only hand Arsenal the three points but also the Championship as Liverpool had lost to Spurs at Anfield. 

Winning the trophy at the home of your rivals comes naturally to the Gunners who won the 2004 league at White Hart lane to complete the Invincible season.