<P> Many of the clashes between the two teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s have been due to the teams being fierce rivals in the Premier League and FA Cup . During this period, there was enmity between the two longest serving managers in Premier League history, Arsenal's Arsène Wenger (1996--2018) and United's Sir Alex Ferguson (1986--2013), and their former club captains Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane . Both managers spurred each other on for greater success, and the contests often involved on - field trouble--seven red cards were shown in matches from February 1997 to February 2005 . The league fixture in September 2003 was marred by a mêlée instigated by Arsenal players, who felt striker Ruud van Nistelrooy had cheated to get Vieira sent off . A season later, Manchester United ended Arsenal's unbeaten run in controversial circumstances, which led to more disorder, this time in the tunnel . </P> <P> The rivalry under Ferguson and Wenger is considered to have come to a natural end at the 2005 FA Cup Final, given the London club then underwent a period of transitional change . By 2008 former Arsenal player Lee Dixon noted that the rivalry had diminished somewhat, while Ferguson himself stated the two teams have cooled from those previously "heated" exchanges . Various factors have been suggested for the diminishing importance of the rivalry in the 2010s, such as the ascendancy of other clubs including local rivals of both (Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City). </P> <P> Arsenal and Manchester United first played a competitive match in October 1894; as of April 2018, the two clubs have faced each other 228 times in total . United have won 96 to Arsenal's 82, and 50 matches have ended in a draw . Wayne Rooney has scored the most goals in the fixture with 12, while Ryan Giggs has made the highest number of appearances with 50 . Several players have featured for both clubs at different stages of their career, including Brian Kidd, Andy Cole, David Platt, Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck and former manager George Graham . </P> <P> A particularly memorable match between the two sides came on 1 February 1958, when they met in a league fixture at Highbury . It was the last league game that United played before the Munich air disaster five days later, which claimed the lives of eight of their players and saw two other players injured to such an extent that they never played again . United won the game 5--4, with goals from Tommy Taylor (twice), Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet . Five of the United players who would lose their lives as a result of the crash took to the field in the game--captain and full - back Roger Byrne, right - half Eddie Colman, centre - half Mark Jones, left - half Edwards and centre - forward Taylor . </P>

Arsenal vs man utd head to head premier league
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