Three days ago, Manchester United and Arsenal clashed in an FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford with the Gunners prevailing in the North-West. On this day four years ago, the final outcome was different as Sir Alex Ferguson masterminded a strategy to help United through to the last four.
After coming through their opening 24 Premier League fixtures without defeat, United had endured a sticky patch in domestic and European action, with three defeats in five games occurring in the league and only a 0-0 draw being registered in Marseille in the Champions League. Those results forced drastic changes in the team that began against Arsenal as seven alterations were made by Ferguson, with the inclusion of seven defenders among his backline and midfield giving the side an unfamiliar look.
As for Arsenal, they were in contention for the Premier League title but defeats in the League Cup final and Champions League to Birmingham City and Barcelona respectively had left manager Arsene Wenger under pressure to deliver a piece of silverware at the end of the season. Unlike his opposite number, the Frenchman named an attacking lineup, with Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie all starting the Saturday evening kickoff.
As expected, Arsenal's flair players took it upon themselves to try to dictate the pace of the early action with the defensive-minded United content to sit back and absorb the early flurries forward. However, after several crosses had failed to find their intended targets, United engineered a chance of their own at the other end when Fabio crossed for twin brother Rafael, but he couldn't convert a decent opportunity from close range.
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Back came Arsenal, with Van Persie drilling a venomous effort straight at Dutch compatriot Edwin van der Sar, but just before the half-hour mark, United edged in front through Fabio, who reacted quickest to Javier Hernandez's header being saved by Manuel Almunia to fire home the rebound.
Despite their slender lead, United were constantly finding themselves on the back foot and they were fortunate to retain their advantage at the break. Van Persie, who had already hit 14 goals during an injury-blighted campaign, forced Van der Sar into a sprawling save low down to his left before moments later, he directed a header wide of the post when it appeared easier to score.
Arsenal had the momentum as the teams returned for the second half, and it wasn't long before Laurent Koscielny forced another outstanding intervention from Van der Sar after connecting with a header from a corner. However, four minutes after the restart, United found their second goal when a defensive block dropped kindly for Wayne Rooney inside the 18-yard box, where he capitalised on the good fortune to head past Almunia.
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United pushed for a third as they looked to heap further misery on their North London opponents, but after Nemanja Vidic had nodded wide, Arsenal showed that they still remained competitive in the fixture when Nasri drove a 25-yard strike on target that produced a fine save from Van der Sar.
Van Persie's frustrating evening continued as he curled a shot marginally over the crossbar, while another solid stop from Van der Sar from substitute Marouane Chamakh's effort indicated that it wasn't to be Arsenal's night. The Moroccan was looking to improve on a run of just one goal in 16 games, but despite looking threatening after his introduction, he again found Van der Sar too good when the veteran clawed out his header.
As the game entered the closing stages, Tomas Rosicky tried his luck from long range but after failing to breach Van der Sar's defences, Arsenal's threat petered out and United were able to comfortably see out the tie to reach the last four. However, they failed to reach the final of the competition after succumbing to a narrow defeat to rivals Manchester City in the semi-finals.
MAN UNITED XI:V an der Sar, Evra, Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Fabio, Rafael, O'Shea, Gibson, Rooney, Hernandez
Subs: Kuszczak, Giggs, Scholes, Valencia, Berbatov, Obertan, King
ARSENAL XI: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Diaby, Nasri, Denilson, Wilshere, Arshavin, Van Persie
Subs: Shea, Squillaci, Clichy, Eboue, Rosicky, Ramsey, Chamakh
