Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penalty miss against Arsenal back in 2003 is one of the most iconic moments in Premier League history (Picture: Getty / Hayters Teamwork)
Ruud van Nistelrooy is anticipating a hostile reception ahead of his reunion with Arsenal this evening but insists Gunners fans should be thanking him instead.
The former Manchester United striker brings his talented PSV Eindhoven side to the Emirates Stadium tonight with all still to play for in their Europa League group with top spot very much up for grabs.
Van Nistelrooy represented a major thorn in Arsenal’s side during the peak years of the rivalry between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger which boiled over during the infamous ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ back in 2003.
Tensions boiled over when Van Nistelrooy, shortly after provoking Patrick Vieira into a reaction that got the Arsenal skipper sent off, crashed an injury-time penalty against the underside of the crossbar.
Had Van Nistelrooy directed his kick two inches lower, Arsenal would have lost their unbeaten record and the Invincibles season, Wenger’s crowning legacy, would never have come to fruition.
The 46-year-old hasn’t crossed paths with Arsenal since leaving United in the summer of 2006 and is looking forward to the challenge Mikel Arteta’s side will provide for his own emerging team.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Van Nistelrooy said: ‘I expect a warm welcome. I kept them invincible because of my miss.
Asked again if he expected a warm welcome, he added: ‘No I don’t think so. No (it doesn’t bother me) when we play at PSV at our home ground and there are players who played for our rivals they get a nice booing as well.
‘It’s part of the banter in football stadiums and I’m looking forward for my team to face an Arsenal that are currently in unbelievable form.’
Van Nistelrooy made up for that iconic miss 12 months later during an equally feisty encounter dubbed ‘Pizzagate’ after Cesc Fabregas threw his post match snack at Sir Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford tunnel with the Gunners having surrendered their record 49-game unbeaten run.
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Still, it is that squandered opportunity and the ensuing melee that many remember Van Nistelrooy for, especially given his calmness in the face of extreme provocation.
‘I didn’t react to what happened after the miss because of the incredible disappointment I felt at not bringing the win for my club,’ recalled Van Nistelrooy.
‘The pressure was intense for both teams because you are competing for the Premier League and it’s possible it will be decided in those games.
‘It’s 20 years ago now. It doesn’t define me but coming back to England and to Arsenal, memories come back of my time there and those two infamous games are part of it.
‘Years later, it is great to look back and have a laugh. But I always think my time in England was five years not two games. I was able to win fantastic titles with United.
‘Those two games were part of a very famous period working under Sir Alex [Ferguson] and playing with so many fantastic players.”
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The former Manchester United striker is going to get a red hot reception.