Sport
ARSENAL & MAN UTD COMBINED XI
Manchester United and Arsenal might only be fighting it out for the top four at the moment, but the two clubs are the greatest of Premier League rivals. Spending the 1990s and early 2000s jostling at the top of the Premier League table, a bitter conflict blossomed under Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson.
The clubs have declined since the peak of their hatred, though, with both on relative droughts since being top flight champions. As they go into an enormously important clash this weekend, we take a look at the greatest Arsenal & Man Utd combined XI of the Premier League era.
Peter Schmeichel
The goalkeeping spot was only ever going to one man. Now a part-time television pundit and father of a Premier League winner, Peter Schmeichel’s status as the greatest goalkeeper in the Premier League era is as good as unchallenged.
His one-on- one ability was his trademark, but Schmeichel was symbolic in a Manchester United side littered with stars. Winning countless trophies along the way, the great Dane stands head and shoulders above any other competitors for this spot. United have had their fair share of goalkeeping disasters as they have hunted for their Schmeichel successor, which only amplifies his significance in an immensely successful team.
Gary Neville
From his partnership with David Beckham down Manchester United’s right to a calming, senior figure in the latter Alex Ferguson years, Gary Neville’s place in this team is as sure as Schmeichel’s. Lauren and Lee Dixon both enjoyed success in strong Arsenal teams, but neither came close to Neville’s influence in numerous Manchester United teams.
Making over 600 appearances for the Red Devils to go with his 85 England caps, Neville was an icon of the 1990s and 2000s in the Premier League. A stalwart for club and country, the now Sky pundit and commentator was one of the most reliable players around.
Eight Premier League medals, two Champions League triumphs and five PFA Team of the Year appearances speak volumes of Neville’s relevance at the pinnacle of English football.
Rio Ferdinand
Having arrived at Old Trafford under the pressure-producing cloud of a £30 million transfer fee, Rio Ferdinand was quickly embroiled in the infamous drugs test scandal. A ban followed and Ferdinand was under yet more pressure to perform.
With his career riding on how he responded to the ban, Ferdinand set about becoming one of the country’s best ever central defenders. Far from the typical British destroyer, his confidence in possession, superb reading of the game and turn of pace made Ferdinand a rare treat for Manchester United fans.
A lock-tight partnership with Nemanja Vidic will be remembered for years to come, too. A leader and complete central defender, Ferdinand’s legacy still looms over Manchester United’s defence to this day.
Tony Adams
Tony Adams is a Premier League icon. Unlike Ferdinand, Adams was the epitome of an English central defender. Enormously physical and a commanding presence at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, Adams reigned as club captain for an unprecedented duration.
During his playing career – which was exclusively for the North London club – Adams won three FA Cups, two League Cups and four top flight titles. His status as an all-time great is not limited to Arsenal, though. The Premier League has seen some exceptional centre-backs, but few can come close to the influence on a team that Adams had for such a prolonged period.
Ashley Cole
Although now despised in the north of the capital after moving to Chelsea, Ashley Cole’s career at the Gunners cannot be forgotten. It was under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger that Cole became one of the world’s best left-backs.
Perhaps remembered more for his 107 England caps and importance in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League winning run, Cole was still a prolific medal collector at Highbury. Two Premier League titles – including his vital role in the invincible 2003-04 season – were accompanied by three FA Cups as he grew from debutant in 1999 to two-time UEFA Team of the Season member.
Denis Irwin and Patrice Evra were the two closest challengers to Cole for this berth, but Cole’s time at both London clubs earns him the spot.
Cesc Fabregas
Just like Cole, Cesc Fabregas made the move from Arsenal to Chelsea, albeit via an indifferent spell with Barcelona. Fabregas grew from boy wonder to talisman at Arsenal and – again similarly to Cole – became one of the best players in his position in the world.
Closing in on the Premier League assist record, Fabregas has been a crucial member of – with all likelihood – two league winning Chelsea sides. At Arsenal, the Spaniard held a team together during challenging times as key players left and money was tight. Add to that two European Championship wins with Spain and the 2010 World Cup triumph and Fabregas boasts a medal drawer that must be close to breaking.
Fabregas’ versatility from deep-lying playmaker to false nine with Spain reflects the brilliance of the magical midfielder. A player that has graced the Premier League since his debut in 2004-05, Fabregas’ time at Arsenal built the foundations for one of the best careers of a generation.
Patrick Vieira
Alongside Fabregas in midfield is the mentor of his early Arsenal years: Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman is possibly the best midfielder in Premier League history. Whether used as a midfield enforcer or box-to- box dominator, Vieira’s combination of power, pace, tactical nous and superb technical ability made for a complete player. Dominant in the air and hard in the tackle, Vieira was a human wall when required, but complemented by his ability to contribute to Arsenal’s play in the final third with surging runs from deep or driven passes.
With over 100 France caps and a dominant set of performances at the European Championships in 2000, Vieira’s legacy is not limited to domestic action. He was, of course, also the club captain as Arsenal completed a first-ever unbeaten league season in 2003-04.
Roy Keane
With Vieira present, it only seems fitting to put him alongside his arch nemesis. Now renowned for his straight talking on television, Roy Keane’s career can suffer from typecasting. He was not just the crunching, squaring up central midfielder that crops up on episodes of ‘Premier League Years’. Keane was the engine of Manchester United and led them through the rejuvenation of their squad in the mid-nineties.
As Paul Ince and Bryan Robson left, Keane was the leader of the team as Paul Scholes and David Beckham became regulars. He was awarded the captaincy in 1997 and led the club to four Premier League titles to go with the three he won prior to wearing the armband.
The Irishman managed to fall out with every other person he associated with in football, but that was a minor price to pay for the influence he had on one of the best teams in English football history.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Although his career has reached new heights since leaving the Premier League, it’s impossible to leave out a player who won the Ballon D’or. Arriving at Manchester United as a raw, stepover obsessed winger, Ronaldo was nurtured by Alex Ferguson to become the world’s best player and one of the best of all-time.
Just the three Premier Leagues and a Champions League won may not have Ronaldo competing with others for longevity, but it was his coming of age that shook the footballing world. The terrible haircuts disappeared and out came a footballer of immense physical prowess with an ability to find the net superior to almost any other in a generation.
At his best, Ronaldo was – and is – unstoppable. The Portuguese icon has redefined goal scoring ratios and, though a Premier League return is improbable, his impact on the league cannot be overplayed.
Thierry Henry
Theirry Henry is a guarantee for a Premier League all-time XI, let alone a combined XI such as this.
Arsenal’s all-time record goal scorer is synonymous with their invincible season as Ronaldo is with Manchester United’s 2008 Champions League triumph. The Frenchman is the calibre of player that supposedly has ‘successors’ appearing in the modern game, none of which will live up to the billing.
From a gifted, yet flawed, left winger for Monaco and Juventus, Henry became a striker with dramatic effect. His desire to drift into the channels or occupy wide spaces only made his electric acceleration more devastating, while few players have ever produced the same composure in front of goal.
Twice making the final three for the Ballon D’or, featuring in six consecutive PFA Teams of the Season and collecting four golden boots, Henry is a player that will be reminisced about for decades.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Joining Henry and Ronaldo in the final third is Henry’s early-2000s golden boot rival. Ruud van Nistelrooy picked up the solitary award himself, despite boasting a ludicrous goal scoring record of 150 in 219 matches for Manchester United.
Van Nistelrooy is arguably the most clinical finisher in the Premier League era. Although a long, well publicised record of never scoring from outside the box was often mentioned, few strikers have finished as prolifically as the Dutchman. It was not just domestic action where he shone either, as his place as the fourth highest Champions League scorer shows.
Injury could have prevented the arrival of van Nistelrooy, but the Red Devils took a chance on a player on his way back from anterior cruciate ligament trouble and it paid off spectacularly.
Bench
Edwin van der Sar
David Seaman, David de Gea and Petr Cech were all in competition for the tedious backup ‘keeper role. Unfortunately for that trio, though, there was no chance of Edwin van der Sar missing out.
The Dutchman bordered on heroic at times during a trophy littered six year spell with the club. With a robust defence in front of him, van der Sar was commander and shot stopper as the club claimed four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
A handful of records are held by the 6”5 goalkeeper, including a national record of 130 caps for the Netherlands. His legacy in the European game, however, goes far beyond individual records and awards. Van der Sar was United’s much-needed Schmeichel replacement as he proved himself as one of the world’s best even in the twilight of a glittering career.
Nemanja Vidic
Joining his former team-mate on bench warming duties, Nemanja Vidic narrowly missed out to Rio Ferdinand in the first choice XI. Vidic – at the peak of his powers – was the most fearsome central defender in world football.
In 2006, Vidic and Ferdinand formed a centre-back partnership that carried Manchester United to numerous successes and was arguably the best of the Premier League era. Vidic offered organisation and power that complemented the ball-playing Ferdinand, with his warrior spirit epitomised his approach to the game.
Injuries brought a limp end to his time in the country, though Vidic remains one of the best value for money signings in the last decade.
Sol Campbell
Another of Arsenal’s invincibles earns a place on the bench.
In two stints with the Gunners, Campbell chalked up over 200 appearances, which included the only goal in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in 2006.
With his career falling in a golden generation of English centre-backs, Campbell was often overlooked. His game was rounded, however, as he matched upper-body power with a level of pace that is uncommon in central defenders. Few forwards could live with his physical attributes, but Campbell had the nous and understanding of the game to read opposition movements and intercept when required.
His career may yet be remembered for being the man fearless enough to trade White Hart Lane for Highbury, but Campbell should go down as one of the league’s best.
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes’ greatest achievement was the adaptation of his role. From an attacking, arrive-late- in- the-box midfielder, the Manchester United academy graduate had to develop not just a new string to his bow, but a new bow all together.
As he aged and his engine spluttered, Scholes arguably reached his greatest heights once he had transitioned to a deep-lying midfielder. He sprayed the ball around from a quarterback role with ease, only disrupted by when he was required to throw in an erratic midfield tackle.
11 Premier League medals, a mid-season return from retirement, two Champions Leagues and three FA Cups reflect Scholes’ staying power to remain at the top.
Wayne Rooney
Unlike Thierry Henry, Manchester United’s all-time record goal scorer does not make the XI. Wayne Rooney only recently passed the mark, though his career at Old Trafford is fizzling to an unspectacular ending.
Rooney – one can’t help but feel – is a player whose significance in Manchester United’s successes will be remembered far more fondly in years to come than it is currently.
Like so many who have played for the club in the Premier League years, Rooney holds a ludicrous medal tally. So often, though, he has been a cog in the side rather than the initiator. A wonderful player at his best (there’s no doubt about that), Rooney’s career still underwhelms a tad in light of the promise he showed at Everton.
Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona ignited Manchester United into the Premier League juggernaut they became. Strutting around the club and pitch with the swagger of a man who could it all, he justified his evident self- belief throughout an immensely successful five seasons at Old Trafford.
Four Premier League trophies followed his move from Leeds United, along with a brace of FA Cups for good measure. Cantona’s confidence happily slipped into arrogance, but it only added to the theatre of a player with the talent to torment any opponent.
Alex Ferguson and Cantona’s team-mates regularly recounted the impact he had on the squad on and off the pitch. Controversy became part of Cantona’s image, but it only made him a more exciting influence on a match.
The history of the Premier League could be markedly different had he not moved to Old Trafford.
Robin van Persie
Last but not least it’s the man who preserved the rivalry between these two clubs for that bit longer. Robin van Persie was Arsenal’s talisman, he had grown into the player Arsene Wenger had invested so much time in. Then, though, the Dutchman jumped the fourth-placed Gunner ship for a glitzier alternative.
Alex Ferguson had come calling, a Ferguson with a wad of cash and hungry for one last Premier League title. What better way to stick it to Wenger than to snatch his main man and win the title right under his nose. Ferguson did exactly that.
Van Persie has scored 30 or more goals only twice in his career. Those seasons were his last with Arsenal and his first with Manchester United. That season with Manchester United, however, saw him win the Premier League for the first time and do it almost single-handedly amidst a decrepit Manchester United squad.
For his influence on the two clubs simultaneously van Persie had to make this squad, even if Andy Cole and Dennis Bergkamp were close behind.
