Ultimate Arsenal Premier League XI vs. Ultimate Manchester United XI
Arsenal and Manchester United meet on Sunday, battling for fourth place and Champions League qualification.
It was not always thus: This fixture was once the undisputed glamour tie of the Premier League, with the two teams regularly tussling over the title. There have been some glorious players at both clubs since the league's advent in 1992, so in this piece, we decided to pit their best Premier League XIs against each other to determine the strongest possible outfit.
The team lines up in a 4-4-2—the formation that brought both clubs the majority of their Premier League success. Read on to discover who made the lineup for each side and who forces their way into the ultimate combined XI.
Goalkeeper: David Seaman vs. Peter Schmeichel
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Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman rank among the greatest goalkeepers of the Premier League era. Both were stoppers of the highest quality, and the ultimate testament to their abilities is the difficulty both clubs had in finding long-term replacements.
When Schmeichel left United in 1999, Sir Alex Ferguson experimented with a string of disappointing 'keepers before eventually signing veteran Edwin van der Sar in 2005.
Arsenal were fortunate to recruit Jens Lehmann as a short-term replacement for Seaman in 2003, but once the German left, the north Londoners also embarked on a difficult spell, with the likes of Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski failing to convince in the No. 1 spot.
Verdict: It's a close one, but Champions League winner and five-time domestic champion Schmeichel just about gets the nod. His intimidating physical presence and leadership qualities from the back give him the edge over the slightly more passive Seaman.
Right-Back: Bacary Sagna vs. Gary Neville
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Neither of these players was spectacular, but both were reliable performers. Bacary Sagna must go down as one of Arsene Wenger's most astute signings. Having been plucked from Auxerre as a relative unknown, he quickly established himself as a competent right-back during his seven-year spell in north London. Sagna is arguably one of the finest defenders Arsenal have had who failed to lift the Premier League title with the club.
Gary Neville was part of United's esteemed Class of 92, and as well as being a highly accomplished defender, he was also an underrated footballer and impressive leader.
Verdict: Neville's extraordinary medal collection means he makes the cut ahead of the unfortunate Sagna.
Centre-Back: Sol Campbell vs. Jaap Stam
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These two were both giants who dominated the defence in their respective teams.
When Sol Campbell crossed the north London divide from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal in 2001, he did so in search of silverware—and got his wish by claiming a domestic double in his first season.
Dutch defender Jaap Stam was only with Manchester United for three years but won the league title in every one of those seasons.
Verdict: Campbell's longevity in the Premier League makes him the pick here. It's a close call, but the former England international's claim is impossible to ignore.
Centre-Back: Tony Adams vs. Rio Ferdinand
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Tony Adams was Mr. Arsenal—a remarkable leader and an outstanding defender. He was Arsenal's skipper well before the Premier League started, but he showed remarkable adaptability to continue playing until 2002.
Rio Ferdinand was at one stage the most expensive player in British football. He justified the expense by winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League.
Verdict: For all Adams' defensive nous, Ferdinand has to be in this team.
Left-Back: Ashley Cole vs. Patrice Evra
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Arsenal fans may not take kindly to the inclusion of Ashley Cole, who burned his bridges with the club when he switched to Chelsea in 2006. However, he was a good full-back for the Gunners and a vital part of the Invincibles team of 2004.
Patrice Evra edges out Denis Irwin as Manchester United's choice at left-back. The Frenchman's pace and ability to drive forward make him a worthy rival to Cole.
Verdict: Although the majority of his Premier League success was achieved with Chelsea, Cole is still good enough for this side.
Right Wing: Alexis Sanchez vs. Cristiano Ronaldo
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You have to be a pretty special player to keep David Beckham out of Manchester United's ultimate Premier League XI. However, Cristiano Ronaldo is just that good. He could have filled a variety of roles in this team, but right wing is where his United career began and where he first excelled in English football.
Alexis Sanchez is not really a right-winger, but we had to find a place for the Chilean in Arsenal's best XI. He is one of the few current players who could have held his own among Wenger's title-winning sides.
Verdict: It would be a crime to leave Ronaldo out of this team.
Central Midfield: Patrick Vieira vs. Roy Keane
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For years, this was a battle for supremacy that dominated the Premier League. Arsenal's clashes with Manchester United were made all the more enthralling by the individual duel between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane.
Both were destroyers who could play. Both were also natural winners and leaders. They remain two of the Premier League's most iconic players.
Verdict: It's almost impossible to choose between the two, but Vieira was a more technically rounded player, so he edges his great rival out of the side.
Central Midfield: Cesc Fabregas vs. Paul Scholes
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Here we have two of the finest playmakers in Premier League history. While Paul Scholes was a pure academy product, Cesc Fabregas was pinched from Barcelona in his teens. However, both midfielders broke into their respective sides as youngsters and immediately impressed with their creativity and intelligence.
They're an interesting comparison, as Scholes' style was arguably more akin to the Spanish school of playing typified by Fabregas than most English players' manner.
Verdict: As masterful as Fabregas was, Scholes' goal threat makes him more dangerous.
Left Wing: Robert Pires vs. Ryan Giggs
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Robert Pires played an instrumental role in Arsenal's title wins of 2001/02 and 2003/04. His link-up play with Cole and Thierry Henry on the left-hand side was particularly devastating. While the other two would drift wide, he would burst infield and almost operate as a second No. 10.
For most of his Manchester United career, Ryan Giggs was a pure winger. He retired as the most decorated player in Premier League history, with an incredible 13 title wins to his name.
Verdict: Sorry, Arsenal fans—it has to be Giggs. His record will most likely never be surpassed.
Striker: Dennis Bergkamp vs. Eric Cantona
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What a conundrum this is. Eric Cantona and Dennis Bergkamp were two players who transformed the fortunes and identities of their respective clubs.
Cantona gave United a swagger they had previously lacked under Ferguson, and more than that, he instilled a culture of perfectionism and competitiveness that helped propel them to their success throughout the 1990s.
Bergkamp brought Arsenal style and aesthetic excellence. He helped transform the Gunners into a beautiful team.
Verdict: Few players in the Premier League have had quite such an extraordinary impact as Cantona managed at United. It's a difficult one, but Bergkamp must begin on the bench.
Striker: Thierry Henry vs. Ruud van Nistelrooy
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Here we have two of the most lethal goalscorers in Premier League history.
They were, however, very different players: Ruud van Nistelrooy was a penalty-box predator, whereas Henry seemed to take pleasure in involving himself in Arsenal's intricate approach play.
Verdict: Henry was the superior all-around player, yet he was still capable of matching Van Nistelrooy's clinical finishing. He has to start.
Overall Result
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If you fielded all these players at the peak of their powers, the game could go either way—such was the talent on show and likely fine margins between them.
But we have to find a winner, and United claimed victory in seven of these matchups to Arsenal's four.
It's another title for the Red Devils.
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