ManU vs Arsenal: Pizzagate Redux
“This slice of pizza came flying over my head and hit Fergie straight in the face … all mouths gawped to see this pizza slip off his famous face and roll down his nice black suit!” Ashley Cole, My Defence: Winning, losing, scandals and the drama of Germany 2006
Ah yes, the memory of that infamous October, 2004 tie between ManU and Arsenal is the stuff of legend. ManU beat Arsenal 2-0 to end The Gunners unbelievable 49 game unbeaten streak. It was a tough game, one that Jose Antonio Reyes called “…the hardest match I have played.” But just as important as the battle on the pitch was the battle of the buffet, which saw someone chuck a slice of pizza at Sir Alex in the tunnel post-game.
From FIFA.com:
In a scuffle in the tunnel between players and staff on both sides, a slice of pizza was thrown at Ferguson. The former Arsenal defender Ashley Cole describes the shock of the incident in his autobiography: “This slice of pizza came flying over my head and hit Fergie straight in the face … all mouths gawped to see this pizza slip off his famous face and roll down his nice black suit!”
Three months after the event, both men promised to end their war of words, with The FA, the Premier League, the UK’s Minister for Sport and even the Metropolitan Police urging the men to resolve their conflict. Since 20 January 2005, it has been agreed that public comments from Ferguson and Wenger will be limited to pre-match and post-match analysis of games between the respective sides.
In a time before the reaaaallly big money came to the table and upset the balance of power in the EPL, there has always been ManU vs. Arsenal, battling away for the top of the table. This has always been a must see match for fans of the beautiful game, and this weekend is no exception. While the pizza may not be flying, you can be sure that both teams will be.
