‘The events at the end of a match yesterday that saw eights
bookings and a red card for Vieira was probably worse than
anything we had seen before. Before the disgraceful scenes
that saw four Arsenal players push, jostle and hit Ruud van
Nistelrooy after the final whistle, there might have been
sympathy for the Gunners.
‘When Van Nistelrooy, hardly the most popular player in the
Premiership, then smacked his added-time penalty against the
Arsenal crossbar there may even have been a certain poetic
justice. But what followed was a total and utter disgrace.
‘“Why are we always the devils . . . and play against
angels?” enquired Arsene Wenger a bit later. Well, Arsene
old chum, if you study the video closely you will find out
for yourself.
‘Except your version will probably cut out as Bennett blows
his final whistle. After that Van Nistelrooy took a whack
round the head from a celebrating Martin Keown — the look on
the face of the Arsenal centre-half suggesting he was close
to losing touch with reality.
‘Then Lauren trod on Van Nistelrooy’s left ankle as the
striker was getting off the turf. And Ashley Cole gave the
Dutchman a shove from behind before Ray Parlour provided a
slap in the chest for good measure.
‘The FA will now have to throw the book at an Arsenal side
who clearly lost all control at the end. The evidence in
front of his own eyes clearly spells out to Wenger that his
players were demonstrably in the wrong. Unless, of course,
he prefers to register as blind.
‘The case for the prosecution is damning. And Arsenal should
be damned.’
Kevin McCarra in the Guardian:
‘A famous rivalry shrivelled until all that remained was
spite. With Ruud van Nistelrooy missing a penalty in
stoppage-time, the possibility disappeared that finesse
might be the decisive factor. The aftermath consumed
onlookers' attention and, to Arsenal's concern, there is a
high likelihood that the FA's video advisory panel will
settle on their couch to study that mayhem.
‘Despite it all, there is no risk that the visitors returned
to London in a mood of gloom and self-reproach. A side who
usually pride themselves on a free-flowing attacking style
can also take pleasure in a halting match.
‘This, of course, might have been an angst-ridden fixture
for Arsenal. As Cristiano Ronaldo curled a cross over in the
last few seconds, Martin Keown found the substitute Diego
Forlan edging in front of him and bundled the Uruguayan to
the ground. As the veteran defender sat on the turf with a
resigned expression on his face, he made no protest over the
decision by the referee Steve Bennett.
‘Sir Alex Ferguson will save his disapproval for the fact
that a penalty had been their sole hope of scoring. That is
hardly in keeping with the gung-ho culture of Old Trafford
and the evolving tactical system was sterile yesterday, with
neither Tim Howard nor Lehmann being given the opportunity
to butt in on the action with a telling save.
‘It is taking United time to accustom themselves to the two-
tier midfield system, in which Phil Neville, Roy Keane and
Quinton Fortune formed a base in front of the defence, while
Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo sought to keep in touch with Van
Nistelrooy. The employment of this formation means that they
can easily marshal large numbers of men behind the ball, but
Arsenal could also cause congestion.
‘It was these two sides who therefore kept the scales in
balance. This is a pleasing result for Arsenal but there was
also a sense that these are two clubs who believe their real
struggle will come as they chase the title in the closing
weeks of the season.’
Henry Winter in the Telegraph:
‘The shameful serial offending of Arsenal under Arsene
Wenger will today bring this proudest of clubs the
humiliating charge of "failing to control their players"
following this skirmish at Old Trafford. Arsenal may have
worn yellow yesterday but they were tainted with red.
‘The Football Association are to launch an investigation
into Arsenal's behaviour at the final whistle here when
Martin Keown, Ray Parlour and Lauren confronted Ruud van
Nistelrooy, Manchester United's centre-forward whose
thespian tendencies had contributed to Patrick Vieira's 81st-
minute dismissal.
‘The face of the beautiful game was ravaged with scars and
tears yesterday. A manager notoriously blind to his player's
transgressions, Wenger may not have seen the incidents at
the end when Keown leapt up in celebration and brought an
elbow down on Van Nistelrooy's head or when Parlour and
Lauren steamed in like playground bullies. But significant
others did.
‘The scenes were noted by the beaks at Soho Square and by
the referee, Steve Bennett, who was in the middle of the
melee, attempting to introduce the concept of harmony, an
admittedly rare notion in meetings between these royal
rivals.
‘The final whistle sounded like a call to arms to certain
Arsenal players. In viewing footage, the FA may also need to
check whether Ashley Cole connected with his attempted hook
on Cristiano Ronaldo, United's winger. Gary Neville also
appeared to take a swing at Parlour.
‘When the dust over the dust-up has settled, Arsenal will
reflect on a deserved point rooted in their doggedness. With
Cole gradually coming to terms with Ronaldo's trickery down
the right, Arsenal formed an effective barrier against the
champions, particularly with Ljungberg working overtime to
assist Cole.
‘Desperately missing the safe-cracking skills of the injured
Paul Scholes, United could not break through. Arsenal's own
forays were often limited by the industry of Keane and Phil
Neville in central midfield in a stalemate that descended
into a scrap.
‘Lacking the all-in wrestling of the 1990 Battle of Old
Trafford which climaxed with both sides having points
deducted, yesterday's match should still prove costly for
Arsenal with a fine the probable punishment.’
Matt Dickinson in the Times: