Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Arsenal host Manchester United on Wednesday evening with a few scores to settle.
The Gunners have beaten United just once in their last 13 attempts, and former captain Robin van Persie has often proved to be the thorn in their side, having scored three goals in his three games against the Gunners.
As such, the match tonight represents a chance for Arsene Wenger and his side to enact some revenge. If things boil over, it wouldn't be the first time as this guide shows
From pizzas and penalties to punch-ups and half-time shirt-swapping, here's our guide to many memorable moments and the war of words between Wenger and Alex Ferguson.
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other...Show all 16 1 /16Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... The biggest brawl It was the year 1990 when 21 players merrily got stuck in at Old Trafford in one of the most memorable brawls in league history. It all kicked off after Arsenal's Nigel Winterburn hurled himself at Brian McClair. The United star responded by repeatedly kicking Winterburn as he lay on the floor. United were docked a point, Arsenal were docked two, the Gunners went on to win the title but a rivalry was born.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Ferguson on Wenger "It's certainly not wrong that you should be seen to have a proportion of home-based players. I totally agree with that. But it would be a problem for a club like Arsenal." - Ferguson has a sly dig at Arsenal's foreign policy when questioned about FIFA's 'six-plus-five' proposal. (Ferguson pictured in 1996)
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Wenger on Ferguson "I'm ready to take the blame for all the problems of English football if that is what he wants." - Wenger responds after Ferguson questions Arsenal's lack of homegrown players. (Wenger pictured shortly after joining Arsenal in 1996)
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... The charm offensive When Arsenal couldn't contain their glee at a United penalty miss, what ensued would become known as the 'Battle of Old Trafford'. Ruud van Nistelrooy had complained incessantly to the referee about some physical treatment, and then in the dying moments drilled a penalty which would have guaranteed United a win onto the crossbar. Martin Keown lead the taunting, along with Ray Parlour and Ashley Cole. The fracas continued down the tunnel and Arsenal were charged with failing to control their players, while Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo were also hauled before the beak.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Ferguson on Wenger "Arsene Wenger disappoints me when he is reluctant to give Manchester United credit for what we have achieved. When Arsenal captured the Double in 1998 I held my hands up and praised them unreservedly... I suppose I will just have to accept that, between Old Trafford and Highbury, appreciation is pretty much a one-way street." - Ferguson lets his pen to do the talking in his autobiography, 'Managing My Life', in 2000.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Wenger on Ferguson "Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home." Arsene Wenger speaks in response to Sir Alex Ferguson's "They are scrappers who rely on belligerence - we are the better team" comment after Arsenal's 2002 double winning season.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Pizzagate In October 2004, United ended Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, with the help of a controversial penalty won by Wayne Rooney. Once again, earnest discussions were undertaken in the tunnel, before things descended into the surreal. Exactly what happened on the way to the Old Trafford dressing rooms is unclear, but some complimentary food was involved, soup went flying and according to reports a slice of pizza ended up on Ferguson's face. The thrower of said pizza has never been identified.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Ferguson on Wenger "In the tunnel Wenger was criticising my players, calling them cheats, so I told him to leave them alone and behave himself. He ran at me with hands raised saying 'what do you want to do about it?' It's a disgrace, but I don't expect Wenger to ever apologise, he's that type of person." - Ferguson really gets stuck into Wenger in January 2005.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Wenger on Ferguson "When we meet in airports we don't fight. Those meetings are even funny." - Wenger lifts the lid on a more cordial relationship with Ferguson as the years have gone on.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Ferguson on Wenger "They say he's an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages. I've got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast who speaks five languages." - Ferguson plays down Wenger's linguistic dexterity in 2003.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Wenger on Ferguson "Ferguson should calm down. Maybe it would have been better if he had put us against a wall and shot us." - more fallout from the testy October 2004 encounter.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Humiliation Ahead of this meeting in the Premier League, United were on fire and Arsenal appeared fragile. Even so, no-one could have predicted this. United were 3-0 up after 41 minutes, but despite Theo Walcott getting one back, United were in no mood to let up. They scored a further five in the second half with Wayne Rooney bagging a hat-trick in the 8-2 win.
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Betrayal If you can't beat them, join them. Arsenal captain Robin van Persie joined United for £24m, turning his status from a hero at the Emirates to the biggest villain around in an instant
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Shirt swapping Robin van Persie returned to the Emirates to a chorus of boos, but it was Arsenal left-back Andre Santos who was criticised for swapping shirts with the former Arsenal captain at half-time. Van Persie made a scoring return to his former home as United won 2-1
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Guard of honour Van Persie returned a season later with United as Premier League champions, with Arsenal players giving them a guard of honour as they walked onto the Emirates pitch
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal v Manchester United: A rivalry like no other... Keep a cool head In the latest instalment of the rivalry, it was that man again van Persie who gave United a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in November last year
GETTY IMAGES
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies