With Arsenal taking on Manchester United at the weekend I thought I would look to the recent past for a classic match between United and the Gunners.

Back in November 2001 United arrived at Highbury in excellent form as they looked to win the Premiership title for the fourth year in a row.

Arsenal, meanwhile were looking to win their first title since 1998 but had gone four games without a win before this clash.

Paul Scholes gave United an early lead, side-footing home his first of the season from a Mikael Silvestre cross after just 14 minutes.

It stayed that way until three minutes into the second half when Robert Pires laid the ball off to Swede Frederick Ljungberg, who spectacularly chipped United ‘keeper Fabien Barthez, who had kept his side in the game up till then.

Arsenal continued to dominate against a strangely off-colour United but could not break down the stubborn Red Devils’ defence. But, just as a draw looked the likely result French International Barthez made two horrendous errors to gift the Gunners the points.

Firstly, with ten minutes remaining, he miss-hit a routine clearance straight to Thierry Henry who duly slotted home with ease.

With United boss Alex Ferguson fuming on the touchline Barthez conspired to gift the home side another goal, this time he fumbled a through-ball straight to Henry who gladly finished the game off.

Arsenal continued their good form throughout the campaign and went into the return fixture at Old Trafford knowing a win would secure them the title. Sylvain Wiltord’s late strike gave Arsenal the victory they needed. The double was achieved for the third time in Arsenal’s history when they defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup Final at Cardiff a few weeks later.

This year, Arsenal’s Premier League odds suggest they could win the league again, but they are already out of the cup.

The home kit Arsenal wore in 2001/02 was the traditional red with white sleeves but with black trim down the arms. Made by Nike the traditional club was on the left breast, with the Nike Swoosh opposite. Sega were the clubs’ main sponsor with their Dreamcast console advertised on the home shirt.

Meanwhile, in horse racing news, the Cheltenham Festival is moving ever closer and the ante-post markets are really starting to hot up.