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The clash between Manchester United and Arsenal, which happened on October 24, 2004, at Old Trafford, ended the latter’s historic 49-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. With the score at 0-0 in the 73rd minute, Wayne Rooney, then a 19-year-old striker playing his first season at Manchester United, went down in the penalty area reportedly after a challenge from Sol Campbell, Arsenal’s centre-back.
Referee Mike Riley pointed to the spot, and Ruud van Nistelrooy converted the penalty, opening the scoring in what became a 2-0 win, with Rooney himself adding a late goal to seal the victory. The penalty decision sparked outrage among Arsenal players and fans, who believed Rooney had dived to win the spot-kick, a claim that has reportedly been a point of contention for over two decades.
A recent disclosure by Wayne Rooney highlighted the rivalry of Manchester United and Arsenal. Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney shed new light on a long-standing rift with ex-Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, revealing that he refused to speak to him for six months following a controversial penalty incident during United’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the 2004-05 Premier League season. Speaking on SkySport’s Monday Night Football, Rooney stated, “After that game, Sol didn’t speak to me for six months. We were in the England squad together, and he completely blanked me. It was tough because we’d been teammates, but that’s football, those rivalries run deep.”
Sol was a big character, and he felt injustice: Wayne Rooney reflected on penalty incident
Sol Campbell, who retired from professional football in 2011 and has since pursued a career in coaching and punditry, has not yet responded to Rooney’s comments. However, the former Arsenal and Tottenham defender has previously spoken about the emotional weight of the 2004 defeat, describing it as a “turning point” for Arsenal’s Invincibles side. Wayne Rooney, now 40 and currently managing Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Championship, reflected on the incident with a mix of amusement and regret. “Looking back, I can see why Sol was fuming. He was a big character, and he felt it was an injustice. But six months of silence? That’s commitment!” he said.
During the 2004-05 season, Manchester United and Arsenal were reportedly locked in a battle for Premier League dominance. Just weeks before the Old Trafford clash, it was reported that tensions had boiled over in the infamous “Battle of the Buffet” at Highbury, where a post-match tunnel brawl saw players and staff from both sides clash, culminating in a slice of pizza being thrown at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The October 2004 match, reportedly dubbed the “50th game” due to Arsenal’s unbeaten streak, was seen as United’s chance to reassert dominance. But the season culminated with Chelsea ultimately capitalising to win the title under Jose Mourinho.
