Manchester United broke Arsenal’s historic 49-game unbeaten Premier League run. The match took place on October 24, 2004, at Old Trafford, where United secured a 2-0 victory. Goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney sealed the win, ending one of the most iconic streaks in English football history.
Key Details of the Match
The game that ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run was a high-stakes fixture between two of England’s biggest rivals. Below is a clear breakdown of the match’s essential information.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 24, 2004 |
| Venue | Old Trafford, Manchester (Manchester United’s home ground) |
| Score | Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal |
| Attendance | 67,862 |
| Referee | Mike Riley |
| Goalscorers | Ruud van Nistelrooy (73rd minute, penalty), Wayne Rooney (90+3rd minute) |
The Match’s Turning Points
The first critical moment came in the 72nd minute, when Wayne Rooney went down in Arsenal’s penalty area after minimal contact with Arsenal defender Sol Campbell. Referee Mike Riley awarded a penalty, a decision that sparked protests from Arsenal players and manager Arsène Wenger, who later described it as “harsh.” This penalty was the breakthrough Manchester United needed.
One minute later, Ruud van Nistelrooy converted the penalty to put United 1-0 ahead. This goal was particularly significant for van Nistelrooy: almost a year earlier, he had missed a penalty against Arsenal, which helped the Gunners preserve their unbeaten run that season. His successful spot-kick this time was a form of redemption.
Arsenal’s chances of a comeback were dealt a further blow in the 83rd minute, when captain Patrick Vieira was sent off for a second bookable offense. With 10 men, Arsenal struggled to create meaningful chances to equalize.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Wayne Rooney scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester United to seal the 2-0 victory. Rooney, who had joined United earlier that year, finished from close range after good build-up play from Ryan Giggs, putting the result beyond doubt.
About Arsenal’s 49-Game Unbeaten Run
The 49-game unbeaten run is one of the most impressive achievements in Premier League history, and it defined Arsenal’s “Invincibles” era. The streak began on May 7, 2003, with a 6-1 home win against Southampton. This followed a 3-2 defeat to Leeds United, which ended Arsenal’s 2002-03 season. The most famous part of the streak was the 2003-04 Premier League season, when Arsenal became only the second team in English top-flight history to go unbeaten throughout a full season—earning them the nickname “The Invincibles.”
On August 25, 2004, Arsenal broke Nottingham Forest’s 26-year record of 42 unbeaten games with a 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. By the time they faced Manchester United in October 2004, the streak had reached 49 games, with a record of 36 wins and 13 draws across three seasons. Key players in this streak included Thierry Henry (who scored 39 goals during the run), Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, and Robert Pires—all legends of Arsenal football.
The “Battle of the Buffet”
While the match itself was dramatic, tensions spilled over after the final whistle, creating a moment that would become part of football folklore. The incident, known as the “Battle of the Buffet,” saw tempers flare in the tunnel at Old Trafford.
Reports state that Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas threw a slice of pizza at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, hitting him in the face. This incident highlighted the intense rivalry between the two clubs but did not overshadow the main story: Manchester United’s victory ending Arsenal’s historic unbeaten run. Both clubs later downplayed the incident, but it remains a memorable footnote to the match.
Final Notes
Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten record still stands as the longest in Premier League history, making it a benchmark for future teams. The match between Manchester United and Arsenal on October 24, 2004, remains one of the most talked-about fixtures in the league’s history, remembered for its drama, controversy, and role in shaping the balance of power in English football.