1998 FA Charity Shield

The 1998 Football Association Charity Shield (also known as The AXA FA Charity Shield for sponsorship reasons) was the 76th FA Charity Shield, an annual English football match organised by The Football Association and played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. It was contested on 9 August 1998 by Arsenal – who won a league and FA Cup double the previous season – and Manchester United – who finished runners-up in the league. Watched by a crowd of 67,342 at Wembley Stadium, Arsenal won the match 3–0.

1998 FA Charity Shield
The match programme cover
Arsenal Manchester United
3 0
Date9 August 1998[1]
VenueWembley Stadium, London
Man of the MatchMarc Overmars (Arsenal)[2]
RefereeGraham Poll (Hertfordshire)
Attendance67,342
WeatherClear
22 °C (72 °F)[3]

This was Manchester United's 18th Charity Shield appearance to Arsenal's 14th. Manchester United began the game more strongly, but Arsenal took the lead when Marc Overmars scored 11 minutes before half-time. They extended their lead in the second half, as Overmars and Nicolas Anelka found Christopher Wreh, who put the ball into an empty net at the second attempt. In the 72nd minute, Arsenal scored a third goal, when Anelka got around Jaap Stam in the penalty box and shot the ball past goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Arsenal's victory marked Manchester United's first Shield defeat in 13 years. The teams later faced each other in the FA Cup semi-final, which was won by Manchester United in a replay. Manchester United finished the league season one point ahead of Arsenal and went on to win the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, thereby completing a treble of trophies in the 1998–99 season.

Background
Wembley Stadium played host to the Charity Shield for the 25th time.

Founded in 1908 as a successor to the Sheriff of London Charity Shield,[4] the FA Charity Shield began as a contest between the respective champions of the Football League and Southern League, although in 1913 it was played between an Amateurs XI and a Professionals XI.[5] In 1921, it was played by the league champions of the top division and FA Cup winners for the first time.[6][lower-alpha 1] The match was played at Wembley Stadium, which first hosted the Shield in 1974.[8]

Arsenal qualified for the 1998 FA Charity Shield as winners of the 1997–98 FA Premier League.[9] Although they were 12 points behind league leaders Manchester United by the end of February 1998, a nine-match winning streak, culminating in a 4–0 win over Everton on 3 May 1998, ensured Arsenal won the title.[10] Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2–0 in the 1998 FA Cup Final to complete the domestic double.[11] Given they won both honours, the other Charity Shield place went to league runners-up Manchester United.[9]

The most recent meeting between the two teams was in the Premier League on 14 March 1998, when a second-half goal by Marc Overmars gave Arsenal a 1–0 win at Old Trafford.[12][13] Arsenal were the only team in the 1997–98 league to beat United home and away, with the corresponding home fixture ending 3–2.[14] Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger acknowledged the Shield game was the "only opportunity to play our first-team men together against top-class opposition" before their league campaign commenced the following week.[15] Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was preoccupied with the team's match against ŁKS Łódź in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League three days later.

The match was officially referred to as "The AXA FA Charity Shield" as part of a sponsorship deal between The Football Association and French insurance group AXA, agreed in July 1998. The deal also saw the FA Cup referred to as "The AXA Sponsored FA Cup" for its four-year duration.[16]

Match

Team selection

Manchester United winger Jesper Blomqvist was ruled out with an ankle injury, but Roy Keane was fit enough to start his first competitive match since damaging his ligaments eleven months previously.[17][18] Defender Jaap Stam, who signed for United in May 1998,[19] made his competitive debut for the club, partnering centre-back Ronny Johnsen.[20] For Arsenal, new signing Nelson Vivas began the match on the substitutes' bench,[21] in spite of being expected to make his full debut,[22] while Dennis Bergkamp started alongside Nicolas Anelka up front.[23]

Arsenal employed a traditional 4–4–2 formation: a four-man defence (comprising two centre-backs and left and right full-backs), four midfielders (two in the centre, and one on each wing) and two centre-forwards.[24] Manchester United organised themselves slightly differently, with Paul Scholes playing ahead of the midfield in a supporting role behind the main striker, Andy Cole. The team lined up in a 4–4–1–1 formation.[24]

Summary

In pitch-side temperatures of 30 °C (86 °F),[2] Manchester United enjoyed their best spell of the match early on, while Arsenal's pair Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit adjusted themselves.[24] United fashioned their first chance through David Beckham, who was booed throughout the match on account of many fans blaming him for England's elimination from the 1998 FIFA World Cup.[24][lower-alpha 2] His pass eventually met Scholes, whose attempt forced Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman to clear.[20] In spite of United's promising start, it was Arsenal who scored the opening goal. Vieira played the ball down the right side of the penalty area in the direction of Bergkamp and Anelka. Bergkamp got there first and back-heeled the ball to Anelka, but the Frenchman was unable to take control; however, he was able to put pressure on Johnsen in the Manchester United defence and blocked the Norwegian's attempted clearance. The ball ran across the edge of the penalty area to Overmars, who lashed it right-footed past Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel into the net.[20] A shot by Keane from 25 yards (23 m) prompted a save from Seaman in the 42nd minute.[2]

Arsenal began dominating in the second half, and increased their lead after 57 minutes. From the left wing, Overmars used his pace to get the better of Gary Neville and passed the ball to Anelka, who turned and passed to an unmarked Christopher Wreh. Schmeichel blocked the Liberian's initial shot with his feet, but he was unable to stop the second attempt or Wreh's acrobatic celebration.[2] Despite the setback, United continued to press Arsenal; defender Martin Keown almost put the ball into his own goal from Ryan Giggs's corner.[2] Both teams made mass substitutions in the final third of the game, notably Teddy Sheringham and Luís Boa Morte coming on for Cole – who rarely threatened – and Petit, respectively.[20] Arsenal scored their third in the 72nd minute – Parlour's pass found Anelka, who got around Stam and shot the ball past Schmeichel from a narrow angle, inside the goalkeeper's near post.[20] Near the end, Sheringham wasted a goal-scoring opportunity, shooting wide.[26]

Details
Arsenal3–0Manchester United
Overmars  34'
Wreh  57'
Anelka  72'
Attendance: 67,342
Arsenal
Manchester United
GK1 David Seaman
RB2 Lee Dixon 81'
CB6 Tony Adams (c) 80'
CB14 Martin Keown 22'
LB3 Nigel Winterburn
RM15 Ray Parlour
CM17 Emmanuel Petit 73'
CM4 Patrick Vieira 84'
LM11 Marc Overmars 67'
CF9 Nicolas Anelka
CF10 Dennis Bergkamp 46'
Substitutes:
GK13 Alex Manninger
DF5 Steve Bould 80'
DF7 Nelson Vivas
MF16 Stephen Hughes 67'
MF18 Gilles Grimandi 84'
MF21 Luís Boa Morte 73'
FW12 Christopher Wreh 46'
Manager:
Arsène Wenger
GK1 Peter Schmeichel
RB2 Gary Neville 3'
CB5 Ronny Johnsen
CB6 Jaap Stam
LB3 Denis Irwin 26'
RM7 David Beckham
CM8 Nicky Butt 53'
CM16 Roy Keane (c) 76'
LM11 Ryan Giggs 70'
CF18 Paul Scholes 70'
CF9 Andy Cole 70'
Substitutes:
GK31 Nick Culkin
DF4 David May
DF12 Phil Neville 79' 70'
DF21 Henning Berg 76'
MF25 Jordi Cruyff 70'
FW10 Teddy Sheringham 70'
FW20 Ole Gunnar Solskjær 53'
Manager:
Alex Ferguson
Man of the match
Match officials

Match rules

  • 90 minutes
  • Penalty shootout if scores level
  • Seven named substitutes, of which up to six may be used

Source:[28]

Statistics
Statistic Arsenal Manchester United
Goals scored 30
Possession 55%45%
Shots on target 72
Shots off target 13
Corner kicks 211
Offsides 35
Yellow cards 23
Red cards 00
Source:[23]

Post-match
Arsène Wenger was surprised by Arsenal's margin of victory.

The result marked Manchester United's first Shield defeat in 13 years,[2] and was the ninth time Arsenal had won the Charity Shield.[29] Arsenal became the first southern club[lower-alpha 3] since Tottenham Hotspur in 1962 to win the Shield outright.[2] Wenger described the scoreline as "unexpected" and cited the first goal as crucial in the match, given the weather conditions.[32] He was content with how his international players, who had been in the World Cup, coped with the game's physicality.

Ferguson admitted his team had been beaten by the better side and agreed with Wenger that the first goal was important.[20][33] He was pleased that Keane got through the match after 11 months out of action and was confident his team would fare better against ŁKS Łódź, the following Wednesday.[33] Schmeichel felt the upcoming Champions League qualifier was more important than the Charity Shield game, which he considered as a pre-season match.[34] Ferguson anticipated another challenge from Arsenal in the league: "I think you could make a strong case for four teams to challenge for the Premiership but I think Arsenal pose the biggest threat."[33]

Three days after the Charity Shield match, United beat ŁKS Łódź 2–0 and qualified for the Champions League group stage following a goalless match a fortnight later.[35][36] Arsenal had the upper hand in their two league meetings with United during the season, winning 3–0 at Highbury in September 1998,[37] before a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford in February 1999.[38] The two teams went into the final day of the 1998–99 FA Premier League vying for the title, but United's 2–1 win against Tottenham meant they finished one point above Arsenal.[39] The two sides met twice more that season in the FA Cup semi-final, which was settled in a replay after the original match finished goalless.[40] Manchester United won in extra time – the winning goal scored by Giggs.[41] United then went on to defeat Newcastle United 2–0 in the 1999 FA Cup Final.[42] Whereas Arsenal failed to progress past the group stage of the Champions League,[43] Manchester United went on to reach the final, where they beat Bayern Munich to win the competition for the second time.[44] Ferguson's team therefore completed a treble of trophies in one season.[45]

See also

Notes
  1. The Premier League replaced the Football League First Division at the top of the English football pyramid after its inception in 1992.[7]
  2. Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone in the second round of the 1998 World Cup against Argentina. His dismissal led to considerable abuse from certain sections of the media and England fans. The player became a scapegoat for the national team's failure to progress, as in the match England were eliminated on penalties.[25]
  3. One which is located in the southern counties of England. Initially these were amateur clubs, as professionalism in football was not as readily accepted in the south as in the north. In the 1893–94 season, Arsenal (under its former name Woolwich Arsenal) turned professional and became the first southern club admitted to the northern-oriented Football League. The following year saw the creation of the Southern Football League, which was composed of amateur and professional teams. By the 1920–21 season, the top division of the Southern Football League was absorbed by the Football League, to create its third division.[30][31]

References
  1. "The week's fixtures with ticket prices and booking information". The Guardian. London. 8 August 1998. p. A11.
  2. Moore, Glenn (10 August 1998). "Football: Arsenal show United little charity". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  3. "History for London City, United Kingdom". Weather Underground. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  4. "Abandonment of the Sheriff Shield". The Observer. London. 19 April 1908. p. 11.
  5. "The F.A. Charity Shield". The Times. 7 October 1913. p. 10.
  6. Ferguson, Peter (4 August 2011). "The Shield: From the beginning". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  7. Fynn, Alex (2 December 2001). "Continental or the full English?". The Observer. London. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  8. "The FA Community Shield history". TheFA.com (The Football Association). Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  9. "Arsenal soon back in the groove". Courier Mail. Queensland. 10 August 1998. p. 48.
  10. Lacey, David (4 May 1998). "Gunners rest their case for the defence". The Guardian. London. p. A3.
  11. "Arsenal at the double". BBC News. 16 May 1998. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  12. "Arsenal v Manchester United head-to-head record". United Mad. Digital Sports Group. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  13. "Overmars keeps title race alive". BBC News. 14 March 1998. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  14. "Manchester United – 1997–98". Statto Organisation. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  15. Hart, Michael (7 August 1998). "Arsenal need spirit to cure the hangover". London Evening Standard. p. 71.
  16. "F.A. Gets Four Year AXA Sponsorship". Newsline. Mediatel Group. 23 July 1998. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  17. Brodkin, Jon (7 August 1998). "Blomqvist out as Keane eyes return". The Guardian. London. p. B6.
  18. Millar, Steve (12 August 1998). "Keane can't wait for the sparks to fly". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  19. Maddock, David (6 May 1998). "Stam's arrival relieves the gloom for United". The Times. p. 41.
  20. Holt, Oliver (10 August 1998). "Arsenal warm to their second home". The Times. p. 32.
  21. "Wenger is gunning for domestic success". The Herald. Glasgow. 17 August 1998. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  22. Martin, Andrew (9 August 1998). "Charity and faith is Vivas' hope". The Independent. London. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  23. Dillon, John (10 August 1998). "Wenger's hot shots have fun in the sun; Arsenal 3 Man Utd 0". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  24. Lacey, David (10 August 1998). "Wenger's all-stars write an epitaph to United; FA Charity Shield Arsenal 3 Manchester United 0: Overmars sets Double winners on way to victory that promises more success". The Guardian. London. p. 21.
  25. Hill, Dave (15 August 1998). "Beckham". The Independent. London. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  26. "Boo-boy Beckham fails to paper over Ferguson's cracks". Birmingham Mail. 10 August 1998.
  27. O'Malley, Peter, ed. (9 August 1998). Official Matchday Programme. p. 66.
  28. Hunt, Chris, ed. (22 August 1998). "Match Facts". Match. Peterborough: EMAP Pursuit Publishing: 6.
  29. Ross, James (15 August 2013). "List of FA Charity/Community Shield Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  30. Tomlinson, Alan (2010). A Dictionary of Sports Studies. Oxford University Press. p. 196. ISBN 0-19-921381-X.
  31. Freeman, Nicholas (2011). 1895: Drama, Disaster and Disgrace in Late Victorian Britain. Edinburgh University Press. p. 39. ISBN 0-7486-4056-8.
  32. Dorward, Philip (10 August 1998). "Charity Shield victory gives Arsenal important psychological edge over Old Trafford rivals". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. p. 21.
  33. "Arsene approves of that Wembley winning habit". Herald Express. Torquay. 10 August 1998. p. 32.
  34. "Man U on new ground in early cup clash". Hobart Mercury. 12 August 1998. p. 25.
  35. Pierson, Mark (14 August 1998). "Roving role is fine by Giggs". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  36. Hodgson, Guy (27 August 1998). "United poles apart from Lodz". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  37. Winter, Henry (21 September 1998). "Fergie shell-shocked by awesome Gunners". Irish Independent. Dublin. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  38. Hodgson, Guy (18 February 1999). "United rescued by Cole". The Independent. London. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  39. Holt, Oliver; Dickinson, Matt (17 May 1999). "One down, two to go for United". The Times. p. 25.
  40. Holt, Oliver (12 April 1999). "Odds grow longer on treble chance". The Times. p. 29.
  41. "Giggs magic sinks Gunners". BBC News. 14 April 1999. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  42. "Double joy for United". BBC News. 22 May 1999. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  43. Tongue, Steve (26 November 1998). "Parlour off as Arsenal go out". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  44. "Treble joy for United fans". BBC News. 27 May 1999. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  45. "United crowned kings of Europe". BBC News. 26 May 1999. Retrieved 3 July 2013.

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