When asked to recall a 3-2 encounter involving Arsenal and Manchester United, those of a certain vintage will vividly recall the dramatic 1979 FA Cup final, which the Gunners won by the odd goal in five.

However, people of a slightly younger age are much more likely to reflect on the meeting between the two sides at Highbury that took place 17 years ago today.

Visiting United made the trip to North London having scored 13 goals in their previous two outings against Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, while hosting Arsenal were winless from their last three Premier League matches.

However, despite that negative form, Arsene Wenger's side accelerated out of the blocks and went on to break the deadlock in just the seventh minute. Marc Overmars's shot rebounded into the path of Nicolas Anelka, who stepped inside United full-back Gary Neville and fired a low shot inside Peter Schmeichel's near post to score his first goal for the club.

Then, in the 27th minute, the home side's lead was doubled. Ray Parlour's corner was cleared by Henning Berg, but only as far as Patrick Vieira and the French midfielder unleashed a powerful effort from 25 yards that swerved out of Schmeichel's reach and into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Champions United were made of stern stuff, though, and they got themselves back into the contest six minutes later. Right-back Neville floated a cross into the Arsenal penalty area for Teddy Sheringham to power a downward header into the far corner.

The former Tottenham Hotspur frontman then incurred the wrath of the Arsenal faithful even further four minutes before the break when he drew United level. Ryan Giggs flicked the ball into Sheringham's path and the centre-forward sent a half-volley beyond the grasp of David Seaman.

After the restart, both sides had openings to take the lead, with the best falling the way of Arsenal in the 81st minute. Ian Wright picked out substitute Christopher Wreh with a low cross. His shot was a poor one, but it deflected off Neville and seemed to be heading for the net, only for Schmeichel to claw it away at the final moment.

The Dane's heroics counted for little just two minutes later, though, as Arsenal claimed the winning goal. David Platt rose higher than David Beckham to meet Nigel Winterburn's corner and he was able to guide his looping header into the top corner.

It was a result that saw Arsenal close the gap on leaders United to one point and the teams would go on to battle it out for the title throughout the remainder of the season.

ARSENAL: Seaman; Dixon, Adams, Grimandi, Winterburn; Parlour, Platt, Vieira (Bould), Overmars; Wright, Anelka (Wreh)

MAN UNITED: Schmeichel; G Neville, Pallister (Johnsen), Berg, P Neville; Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Giggs (Solskjaer); Cole, Sheringham