Wikipedia

1998 FA Charity Shield

The1998 Football Association Charity Shield(also known asTheAXAFA Charity Shieldfor sponsorship reasons) was the 76thFA Charity Shield,an annual Englishfootballmatch organised byThe Football Associationand played between the winners of the previous season'sPremier LeagueandFA Cupcompetitions. It was contested on 9 August 1998 byArsenal– who won aleagueandFA Cupdoublethe previous season – andManchester United– who finished as runners-up in the league. Watched by a crowd of 67,342 atWembley Stadiumin London, Arsenal won the match 3–0.

1998 FA Charity Shield
Thematch programmecover
Arsenal Manchester United
3 0
Date9 August 1998
VenueWembley Stadium,London
Man of the MatchMarc Overmars(Arsenal)
RefereeGraham Poll(Hertfordshire)
Attendance67,342
WeatherClear
22 °C (72 °F)[1]
←1997
1999→

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 whenMarc Overmarsscored 11 minutes before half-time. They extended their lead in the second half, as Overmars andNicolas AnelkafoundChristopher 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 aroundJaap Stamin the penalty box and shot the ball past goalkeeperPeter Schmeichel.

Arsenal's victory marked Manchester United's first Shield defeat in 13 years. The teams later faced each other in theFA 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 andUEFA Champions League,thereby completing atrebleof trophies in the1998–99 season.

Background

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Wembley Stadiumplayed host to the Charity Shield for the 25th time.

Founded in 1908 as a successor to theSheriff of London Charity Shield,[2]theFA Charity Shieldbegan as a contest between the respective champions ofThe Football Leagueand theSouthern League,although in 1913, it was played between an Amateurs XI and a Professionals XI.[3]In 1921, it was contested by the league champions of the top division andFA Cupwinners for the first time.[4][a]

Arsenalqualified for the 1998 FA Charity Shield as winners of both the1997–98 FA Premier Leagueand the1997–98 FA Cup.[6]Although they were 12 points behind league leadersManchester Unitedby the end of February 1998, a nine-match winning streak, culminating in a 4–0 win overEvertonon 3 May 1998, ensured Arsenal won the title.[7]Arsenal then beatNewcastle United2–0 in the1998 FA Cup Finalto complete thedomestic double.[8]Given they won both honours, the other Charity Shield place went to league runners-up Manchester United.[6]

The most recent meeting between the two teams was in the Premier League on 14 March 1998, when a second-half goal byMarc Overmarsgave Arsenal a 1–0 win atOld Trafford,the second of Arsenal's nine consecutive wins.[9][10]Arsenal were the only team in the 1997–98 league to beat United home and away; the corresponding home fixture on 9 November 1997 ended 3–2.[11]Arsenal managerAr sắc ne Wengeracknowledged 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.[12]Manchester United managerAlex Fergusonwas preoccupied with the team's match againstŁKS Łódźin thesecond qualifying roundof theUEFA Champions Leaguethree days later.

The match was officially referred to as "The AXA FA Charity Shield" as part of a sponsorship deal betweenThe Football Associationand French insurance groupAXA,agreed in July 1998. The deal also saw the FA Cup referred to as "The AXA Sponsored FA Cup" for its four-year duration.[13]

Venue

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The match was played atWembley Stadium,which first hosted the Shield in 1974.[14]

Match

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Team selection

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Manchester United wingerJesper Blomqvist,who had signed fromParmajust under three weeks earlier, was ruled out with an ankle injury, butRoy Keanewas fit enough to start his first competitive match since rupturing his cruciate ligaments 11 months previously.[15][16]DefenderJaap Stam,who signed for United in July 1998,[17]made his competitive debut for the club, partnering centre-backRonny Johnsen.[18]For Arsenal, new signingNelson Vivasbegan the match on the substitutes' bench,[19]in spite of being expected to make his full debut,[20]whileDennis Bergkampstarted alongsideNicolas Anelkaup front.[21]

Arsenal employed a traditional4–4–2formation: a four-mandefence(comprising twocentre-backsandleft and right full-backs), fourmidfielders(two in thecentre,and one on eachwing) and twocentre-forwards.[22]Manchester United organised themselves slightly differently, and lined up in a4–4–1–1formation withPaul Scholesplaying ahead of the midfield in a supporting role behind the main striker,Andy Cole.[22]

Summary

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In pitch-side temperatures of 30 °C (86 °F),[23]Manchester United enjoyed their best spell of the match early on, while Arsenal's pairPatrick VieiraandEmmanuel Petitgot used to the flow of the game.[22]United fashioned their first chance throughDavid Beckham,who was booed throughout the match on account of many fans blaming him forEngland's elimination from the1998 FIFA World Cup.[22][b]His pass eventually met Scholes, whose attempt forced Arsenal goalkeeperDavid Seamanto clear.[18]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 goalkeeperPeter Schmeichelinto the net.[18]A shot by Keane from 25 yards (23 m) prompted a save from Seaman in the 42nd minute.[23]

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 ofGary Nevilleand passed the ball to Anelka, who turned and passed to an unmarkedChristopher Wreh.Schmeichel blocked the Liberian's initial shot with his feet, but he was unable to stop the second attempt, which Wreh celebrated acrobatically.[23]Despite the setback, United continued to press Arsenal; defenderMartin Keownalmost put the ball into his own goal fromRyan Giggs's corner.[23]Both teams made mass substitutions in the final third of the game, notablyTeddy SheringhamandLuís Boa Mortecoming on for Cole – who rarely threatened – and Petit, respectively.[18]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.[18]Near the end, Sheringham wasted a goal-scoring opportunity, shooting wide.[25]

Details

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Arsenal3–0Manchester United
Overmars34'
Wreh57'
Anelka72'
Attendance: 67,342
Arsenal
Manchester United
GK 1 David Seaman
RB 2 Lee Dixon 81'
CB 6 Tony Adams(c) 80'
CB 14 Martin Keown 22'
LB 3 Nigel Winterburn
RM 15 Ray Parlour
CM 17 Emmanuel Petit 73'
CM 4 Patrick Vieira 84'
LM 11 Marc Overmars 67'
CF 9 Nicolas Anelka
CF 10 Dennis Bergkamp 46'
Substitutes:
GK 13 Alex Manninger
DF 5 Steve Bould 80'
DF 7 Nelson Vivas
MF 16 Stephen Hughes 67'
MF 18 Gilles Grimandi 84'
MF 21 Luís Boa Morte 73'
FW 12 Christopher Wreh 46'
Manager:
Ar sắc ne Wenger
GK 1 Peter Schmeichel
RB 2 Gary Neville 3'
CB 5 Ronny Johnsen
CB 6 Jaap Stam
LB 3 Denis Irwin 26'
RM 7 David Beckham
CM 8 Nicky Butt 53'
CM 16 Roy Keane(c) 76'
LM 11 Ryan Giggs 70'
CF 18 Paul Scholes 70'
CF 9 Andy Cole 70'
Substitutes:
GK 31 Nick Culkin
DF 4 David May
DF 12 Phil Neville 79' 70'
DF 21 Henning Berg 76'
MF 25 Jordi Cruyff 70'
FW 10 Teddy Sheringham 70'
FW 20 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:[27]

Statistics

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Statistic Arsenal Manchester United
Goals scored 3 0
Possession 55% 45%
Shots on target 7 2
Shots off target 1 3
Corner kicks 2 11
Offsides 3 5
Yellow cards 2 3
Red cards 0 0
Source:[21]

Post-match

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Ar sắc ne Wengerwas surprised by Arsenal's margin of victory.

The result marked Manchester United's first defeat in the Charity Shield since 1985, during which time they had appeared in the competition five times,[23]and the ninth time Arsenal had won it.[28]Arsenal became the first southern club[c]to win the Shield outright sinceTottenham Hotspurin1962.[23]Wenger described the scoreline as "unexpected" and cited the first goal as crucial in the match, given the weather conditions.[31]He was content with how his international players, who had been at 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.[18][32]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.[32]Schmeichel felt the upcoming Champions League qualifier was more important than the Charity Shield game, which he considered as a pre-season match.[33]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."[32]

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.[34][35]Arsenal had the upper hand in their two league meetings with United during the season, winning 3–0 atHighburyin September 1998,[36]before a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford in February 1999.[37]The two teams went into the final day of the1998–99 FA Premier Leaguevying for the title, but United's 2–1 win against Tottenham meant they finished one point above Arsenal.[38]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.[39]Manchester United won inextra time– the winning goal scored by Giggs.[40]United then went on to defeat Newcastle United 2–0 in the1999 FA Cup Final.[41]Whereas Arsenal failed to progress past the group stage of the Champions League,[42]Manchester United went on to reach thefinal,where they beatBayern Munichto win the competition for the second time.[43]Ferguson's team therefore completed atrebleof trophies in one season.[44]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ThePremier Leaguereplaced theFootball League First Divisionat the top of theEnglish football pyramidafter its inception in 1992.[5]
  2. ^Beckham wassent offfor kickingDiego Simeonein the second round of the 1998 World Cup againstArgentina.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 onpenalties.[24]
  3. ^One which is located in the southerncountiesof 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-orientedFootball League.The following year saw the creation of theSouthern Football League,which was composed of amateur and professional teams. By the1920–21season, the top division of the Southern Football League was absorbed by the Football League, to create its third division.[29][30]

References

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  1. ^"History for London City, United Kingdom".Weather Underground.Retrieved11 January2013.
  2. ^"Abandonment of the Sheriff Shield".The Observer.London. 19 April 1908. p. 11.
  3. ^"The F.A. Charity Shield".The Times.7 October 1913. p. 10.
  4. ^Ferguson, Peter (4 August 2011)."The Shield: From the beginning".Manchester City F.C. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved21 April2014.
  5. ^Fynn, Alex (2 December 2001)."Continental or the full English?".The Observer.London.Retrieved3 July2014.
  6. ^ab"Arsenal soon back in the groove".Courier Mail.Queensland. 10 August 1998. p. 48.
  7. ^Lacey, David (4 May 1998). "Gunners rest their case for the defence".The Guardian.London. p. A3.
  8. ^"Arsenal at the double".BBC News.16 May 1998.Retrieved11 January2013.
  9. ^"Arsenal v Manchester United head-to-head record".United Mad.Digital Sports Group.Archivedfrom the original on 6 June 2013.Retrieved3 July2013.
  10. ^"Overmars keeps title race alive".BBC News.14 March 1998.Retrieved11 January2013.
  11. ^"Manchester United – 1997–98".Statto Organisation. Archived fromthe originalon 24 March 2013.Retrieved3 July2013.
  12. ^Hart, Michael (7 August 1998). "Arsenal need spirit to cure the hangover".London Evening Standard.p. 71.
  13. ^"F.A. Gets Four Year AXA Sponsorship".Newsline.Mediatel Group. 23 July 1998.Retrieved17 June2014.
  14. ^"The FA Community Shield history".TheFA.The Football Association.Archivedfrom the original on 9 June 2013.Retrieved3 July2013.
  15. ^Brodkin, Jon (7 August 1998). "Blomqvist out as Keane eyes return".The Guardian.London. p. B6.
  16. ^Millar, Steve (12 August 1998)."Keane can't wait for the sparks to fly".Daily Mirror.London.Retrieved3 August2014.
  17. ^Maddock, David (6 May 1998). "Stam's arrival relieves the gloom for United".The Times.p. 41.
  18. ^abcdefHolt, Oliver (10 August 1998). "Arsenal warm to their second home".The Times.p. 32.
  19. ^"Wenger is gunning for domestic success".The Herald.Glasgow. 17 August 1998.Retrieved26 July2014.
  20. ^Martin, Andrew (9 August 1998)."Charity and faith is Vivas' hope".The Independent.London. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2022.Retrieved16 February2013.
  21. ^abDillon, John (10 August 1998)."Wenger's hot shots have fun in the sun; Arsenal 3 Man Utd 0".Daily Mirror.London.Retrieved16 February2013.
  22. ^abcdLacey, 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.
  23. ^abcdefMoore, Glenn (10 August 1998)."Football: Arsenal show United little charity".The Independent.London. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2022.Retrieved18 July2014.
  24. ^Hill, Dave (15 August 1998)."Beckham".The Independent.London. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2022.Retrieved13 August2013.
  25. ^"Boo-boy Beckham fails to paper over Ferguson's cracks".Birmingham Mail.10 August 1998.
  26. ^abcdO'Malley, Peter, ed. (9 August 1998).Official Matchday Programme.p. 66.
  27. ^Hunt, Chris, ed. (22 August 1998). "Match Facts".Match.Peterborough: EMAP Pursuit Publishing: 6.
  28. ^Ross, James (15 August 2013)."List of FA Charity/Community Shield Matches".Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF).Retrieved11 January2014.
  29. ^Tomlinson, Alan (2010).A Dictionary of Sports Studies.Oxford University Press. p. 196.ISBN978-0-19-921381-8.
  30. ^Freeman, Nicholas (2011).1895: Drama, Disaster and Disgrace in Late Victorian Britain.Edinburgh University Press. p. 39.ISBN978-0-7486-4056-0.
  31. ^Dorward, Philip (10 August 1998). "Charity Shield victory gives Arsenal important psychological edge over Old Trafford rivals".The Scotsman.Edinburgh. p. 21.
  32. ^abc"Arsene approves of that Wembley winning habit".Herald Express.Torquay. 10 August 1998. p. 32.
  33. ^"Man U on new ground in early cup clash".Hobart Mercury.12 August 1998. p. 25.
  34. ^Pierson, Mark (14 August 1998)."Roving role is fine by Giggs".The Independent.London.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2022.Retrieved3 July2013.
  35. ^Hodgson, Guy (27 August 1998)."United poles apart from Lodz".The Independent.London.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2022.Retrieved3 July2013.
  36. ^Winter, Henry (21 September 1998)."Fergie shell-shocked by awesome Gunners".Irish Independent.Dublin.Retrieved11 January2013.
  37. ^Hodgson, Guy (18 February 1999)."United rescued by Cole".The Independent.London. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2022.Retrieved11 January2013.
  38. ^Holt, Oliver; Dickinson, Matt (17 May 1999). "One down, two to go for United".The Times.p. 25.
  39. ^Holt, Oliver (12 April 1999). "Odds grow longer on treble chance".The Times.p. 29.
  40. ^"Giggs magic sinks Gunners".BBC News.14 April 1999.Retrieved11 January2013.
  41. ^"Double joy for United".BBC News.22 May 1999.Retrieved23 May2014.
  42. ^Tongue, Steve (26 November 1998)."Parlour off as Arsenal go out".The Independent.London. Archived fromthe originalon 1 May 2022.Retrieved3 August2014.
  43. ^"Treble joy for United fans".BBC News.27 May 1999.Retrieved3 July2013.
  44. ^"United crowned kings of Europe".BBC News.26 May 1999.Retrieved3 July2013.


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