Arsenal 1–2 Manchester United (1999) Explained

Event:1998–99 FA Cup semi-final replay
Team1:Arsenal
Team1score:1
Team2score:2
Details:After extra time
Stadium:Villa Park
City:Birmingham
Referee:David Elleray (Harrow)
Attendance:30,223

The replay of the 1998–99 FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester United, sometimes titled The Epic, was a football match that took place at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on 14 April 1999.[1]

The game is often described as one of Manchester United's greatest ever, and Giggs' winning goal is frequently cited as one of the greatest goals ever scored in English football.[2] Rob Smyth of The Guardian described it as "the greatest game in the modern era of English football. […] this match […] had such gravitas, subtlety, intensity and excellence that it should have been shown on HBO.)"[3]

Background

Manchester United and Arsenal were rivals at the top of English football; Arsenal won the 1997–98 Premier League with United finishing second, and then Arsenal beat United 3–0 in the 1998 FA Charity Shield. The two teams competed for the 1998–99 Premier League and also met in the semi-final of the 1998–99 FA Cup, which was a 0–0 draw after extra time, necessitating a replay.[4]

Route to the semi-final

ArsenalRoundManchester United
Opponent Result ReplayOpponent Result Replay
Preston North End4–2 (A)Third roundMiddlesbrough3–1 (H)
Wolverhampton Wanderers2–1 (A)Fourth roundLiverpool2–1 (H)
Sheffield United2–1 (H)2–1 (H)Fifth roundFulham1–0 (H)
Derby County1–0 (H)Sixth roundChelsea0–0 (H)2–0 (A)
Manchester United0–0 a.e.t.
(N)
Semi-finalArsenal0–0 a.e.t.
(N)

Match

Summary

David Beckham scored an early goal for Manchester United, with Dennis Bergkamp equalising in the second half. Roy Keane, United's captain, received a second yellow card and was sent off for a bad tackle on Marc Overmars. After Phil Neville fouled Ray Parlour in the box, Arsenal were awarded a penalty. Bergkamp's shot was saved by Peter Schmeichel, taking the game to extra time,[5] [6] where Patrick Vieira gave the ball away to Ryan Giggs who scored a sensational solo goal, dribbling past five Arsenal players to give United a 2–1 lead and send them through to the 1999 FA Cup final.[7]

Details

GK 1 David Seaman
RB 2 Lee Dixon
CB 6 Tony Adams (c)
CB 14
LB 3 Nigel Winterburn
RM 15
CM 4 Patrick Vieira
CM 26
LM 8
CF 10 Dennis Bergkamp
CF 9 Nicolas Anelka
Substitutes:
GK 24 John Lukic
DF 4
DF 7
MF 11
FW 25
Manager:
Arsène Wenger
GK 1 Peter Schmeichel
RB 2 Gary Neville
CB 5 Ronny Johnsen
CB 6
LB 12 Phil Neville
RM 7
CM 8 Nicky Butt
CM 16 Roy Keane (c)
LM 15
CF 10
CF 20
Substitutes:
GK 17 Raimond van der Gouw
DF 3 Denis Irwin
MF 11
MF 18
FW 19
Manager:
Alex Ferguson

Statistics

Overall[8]
StatisticArsenal
scope=rowGoals scored12
scope=rowxG2.511.62
scope=rowTotal shots2716
scope=rowShots on target94
scope=rowBall possession56%44%
scope=rowPass completion73%72%
scope=rowPasses (completed)726 (532)579 (417)
scope=rowPressures167195
scope=rowPressure Regains5047
scope=rowTackles won (Attempted)31 (43)30 (48)
scope=rowYellow cards23
scope=rowRed cards / Second yellows0 / 00 / 1

Aftermath

The match was the last ever FA Cup semi-final to go to a replay. In the FA Cup final, Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2–0 to win the Cup, securing the Double, as they had won the Premier League a week earlier.[9] Four days later, they completed the Treble by beating Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League final.

The game is remembered as one of the greatest in English football; it was ranked #38 in The Times' 50 Greatest Football Matches (2019).[10]

Giggs' winning goal is also considered among the greatest ever scored, and his celebration, removing his shirt to reveal copious chest hair, is considered an iconic image by football fans.[11] [12] Ian Wright described it as "arguably one of the best goals in FA Cup history."[13] It has been compared to Diego Maradona's solo goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.[14]

Both Ray Parlour and Arsène Wenger admitted to being "haunted" by the defeat and Giggs' goal.[15] [16]

A statistical analysis of the game in The Independent in 2019 gave Arsenal 2.51 expected goals (xG) to United's 1.62; Dennis Bergkamp's penalty miss was considered a key moment that won the game for United.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: REWIND: On This Day in 1999 Arsenal clashed with Manchester United in a momentous FA Cup semi-final replay. onlinegooner.com.
  2. Book: Walker, Dan . Magic, Mud and Maradona: Cup Football's Finest Tales . 2016-10-20 . Simon and Schuster . 978-1-4711-3633-7 . en.
  3. Web site: The Joy of Six: FA Cup semi-final memories. Rob. Smyth. 15 April 2011. The Guardian.
  4. Web site: On This Day: Giggs tears Arsenal to ribbons . ManUtd.com.
  5. Web site: Man Utd v Arsenal: Five most memorable meetings . TheFA.com.
  6. Web site: Peter Schmeichel's save in 1999 FA Cup semi-final cost Arsenal the Double, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Sky Sports.
  7. Web site: Arsenal 1 - 2 Man Utd. 13 April 1999. The Guardian.
  8. Web site: xG breakdown: United vs Arsenal, '99 semi-final. 23 May 2019. The Independent.
  9. Web site: Man United 2 Newcastle 0 1999 FA Cup final highlights. ManUtd.com.
  10. Book: Whitehead, Richard . The Times 50 Greatest Football Matches . 2019-03-01 . The History Press . 978-0-7509-9115-5 . en.
  11. Web site: Ryan Giggs: 10 of his greatest games for Manchester United. Doug. Revolta. 20 May 2014. The Guardian.
  12. Web site: Remembering Ryan Giggs' Manchester United vs. Arsenal 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final. Paul. Ansorge. Bleacher Report.
  13. Web site: MOTD Top 10: How you ranked greatest Premier League era goals . BBC Sport.
  14. Web site: Giggs - 1,027 games, 34 trophies, one legend. BBC Sport.
  15. Web site: Hopkinson . Tom . Arsene Wenger admits THAT Ryan Giggs FA Cup goal against Arsenal still gives him nightmares. 7 March 2015. Daily Mirror.
  16. Web site: Ray Parlour admits he can't watch back infamous Arsenal defeat . Daniel . Orme. 21 February 2023. Irish Mirror.
  17. Web site: xG breakdown: United vs Arsenal, '99 semi-final. 23 May 2019. The Independent.