29/08/2009: Manchester United-Arsenal 2-1 (Premier League)  

Darren Fletcher missed an early chance for United, pulling a shot left of Almunia’s goal after nine minutes. At the other end Arsenal were also creating chances, Andrei Arshavin flashing a shot narrowly over Ben Foster’s bar. Wayne Rooney fired a free-kick off target as the match flowed from end-to-end, before Andrei Arshavin silenced Old Trafford with an unstoppable howitzer into the top corner five minutes from the break. The Gunners were denied a second at the start of the second half as Ben Foster produced a top class save to stop van Persie’s close-range effort. With Fergie’s boys dangling on the ropes Wayne Rooney proved the Reds saviour, Almunia clattered into the forward in the box an from the resulting penalty Rooney drew United level. Six minutes later, and after RVP had hit the bar, the unlikely United comeback was complete as Abou Diaby managed to head a Giggs free-kick into his own net. The match ended in a farce as, after RVP had a 94th minute goal ruled out for offside, ref Mike Dean decided to send off Arsene Wenger who reacted in pantomime fashion by retreating to the United stands.