:1998 FA Charity Shield

File:Wembleyold.jpg played host to the Charity Shield for the 25th time.]]

Founded in 1908 as a successor to the Sheriff of London Charity Shield,{{cite news |title=Abandonment of the Sheriff Shield |page=11 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=19 April 1908 }} the FA Charity Shield began as a contest between the respective champions of The Football League and the Southern League, although in 1913, it was played between an Amateurs XI and a Professionals XI.{{cite news |title=The F.A. Charity Shield |page=10 |newspaper=The Times |date=7 October 1913 }} In 1921, it was contested by the league champions of the top division and FA Cup winners for the first time.{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Ferguson |title=The Shield: From the beginning |url=http://www.mcfc.co.uk/news/team-news/archive/2011/august/community-shield-2011/the-shield-from-the-beginning |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |date=4 August 2011 |access-date=21 April 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192421/http://www.mcfc.co.uk/news/team-news/archive/2011/august/community-shield-2011/the-shield-from-the-beginning |url-status=dead }}{{refn|The Premier League replaced the Football League First Division at the top of the English football pyramid after its inception in 1992.{{cite news |title=Continental or the full English? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/dec/02/sport.sportfeatures |first=Alex |last=Fynn |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=2 December 2001 |access-date=3 July 2014 }}|group=lower-alpha}}

Arsenal qualified for the 1998 FA Charity Shield as winners of both the 1997–98 FA Premier League and the 1997–98 FA Cup.{{cite news |title=Arsenal soon back in the groove |page=48 |newspaper=Courier Mail |location=Queensland |date=10 August 1998 }} 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.{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Gunners rest their case for the defence |newspaper=The Guardian|location=London |date=4 May 1998 |page=A3 }} Arsenal then beat Newcastle United 2–0 in the 1998 FA Cup Final to complete the domestic double.{{cite news |title=Arsenal at the double |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/94885.stm |work=BBC News |date=16 May 1998 |access-date=11 January 2013 }} Given they won both honours, the other Charity Shield place went to league runners-up Manchester United.

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, the second of Arsenal's nine consecutive wins.{{cite news|title=Arsenal v Manchester United head-to-head record |url=http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/head_to_head/arsenal/vs/manchester_united/index.shtml |work=United Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group |access-date=3 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606052705/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/head_to_head/arsenal/vs/manchester_united/index.shtml |archive-date= 6 June 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Overmars keeps title race alive |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/65594.stm |work=BBC News |date=14 March 1998 |access-date=11 January 2013 }} 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.{{cite web|title=Manchester United – 1997–98 |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/manchester-united/1997-1998 |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=3 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324032404/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/manchester-united/1997-1998 |archive-date=24 March 2013 }} 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.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Hart |title=Arsenal need spirit to cure the hangover |page=71 |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=7 August 1998 }} 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.{{cite news |title=F.A. Gets Four Year AXA Sponsorship |url=http://mediatel.co.uk/newsline/1998/07/23/f-a-gets-four-year-axa-sponsorship/ |work=Newsline |publisher=Mediatel Group |date=23 July 1998 |access-date=17 June 2014 }}

The match was played at Wembley Stadium, which first hosted the Shield in 1974.{{cite news|title=The FA Community Shield history |url=http://www.thefa.com/fa-community-shield/more/history |website=TheFA.com |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=3 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609184712/http://www.thefa.com/fa-community-shield/more/history |archive-date= 9 June 2013 |url-status=live}}

Manchester United winger Jesper Blomqvist, who had signed from Parma just under three weeks earlier, was ruled out with an ankle injury, but Roy Keane was fit enough to start his first competitive match since rupturing his cruciate ligaments 11 months previously.{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Brodkin |title=Blomqvist out as Keane eyes return |page=B6 |newspaper=The Guardian|location=London |date=7 August 1998 }}{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Millar |title=Keane can't wait for the sparks to fly |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Keane+can%27t+wait+for+the+sparks+to+fly.-a060662997 |newspaper=Daily Mirror|location=London |date=12 August 1998 |access-date=3 August 2014}} Defender Jaap Stam, who signed for United in July 1998,{{cite news |first=David |last=Maddock |title=Stam's arrival relieves the gloom for United |newspaper=The Times |date=6 May 1998 |page=41 }} made his competitive debut for the club, partnering centre-back Ronny Johnsen. For Arsenal, new signing Nelson Vivas began the match on the substitutes' bench,{{cite news |title=Wenger is gunning for domestic success |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/wenger-is-gunning-for-domestic-success-1.331884 |newspaper=The Herald |location=Glasgow |date=17 August 1998 |access-date=26 July 2014}} in spite of being expected to make his full debut,{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Martin |title=Charity and faith is Vivas' hope |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-charity-and-faith-is-vivas-hope-1170601.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-charity-and-faith-is-vivas-hope-1170601.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=9 August 1998 |access-date=16 February 2013}}{{cbignore}} while Dennis Bergkamp started alongside Nicolas Anelka up front.{{cite news |last=Dillon |first=John |title=Wenger's hot shots have fun in the sun; Arsenal 3 Man Utd 0 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WENGER%27S+HOT+SHOTS+HAVE+FUN+IN+THE+SUN%3b+Arsenal+3+Man+Utd+0.-a060665399 |newspaper=Daily Mirror|location=London |date=10 August 1998 |access-date=16 February 2013 }}

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.{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=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 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/16/newsstory.sport16 |newspaper=The Guardian|location=London |date=10 August 1998 |page=21}} Manchester United organised themselves slightly differently, and lined up in a 4–4–1–1 formation with Paul Scholes playing ahead of the midfield in a supporting role behind the main striker, Andy Cole.

In pitch-side temperatures of {{convert|30|°C|°F}}, {{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Moore |title=Football: Arsenal show United little charity |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-show-united-little-charity-1170865.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-show-united-little-charity-1170865.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=10 August 1998 |access-date=18 July 2014 }}{{cbignore}} Manchester United enjoyed their best spell of the match early on, while Arsenal's pair Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit got used to the flow of the game. 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.{{refn|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.{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Hill |title=Beckham |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/beckham-1171687.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/beckham-1171687.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=15 August 1998 |access-date=13 August 2013}}{{cbignore}}|group=lower-alpha}} His pass eventually met Scholes, whose attempt forced Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman to clear.{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Holt |title=Arsenal warm to their second home |newspaper=The Times |date=10 August 1998 |page=32 }} 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. A shot by Keane from {{convert|25|yd}} prompted a save from Seaman in the 42nd minute.

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, which Wreh celebrated acrobatically. Despite the setback, United continued to press Arsenal; defender Martin Keown almost put the ball into his own goal from Ryan Giggs's corner. 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. 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. Near the end, Sheringham wasted a goal-scoring opportunity, shooting wide.{{cite news |title=Boo-boy Beckham fails to paper over Ferguson's cracks |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Boo-boy+Beckham+fails+to+paper+over+Ferguson%27s+cracks%3b+Arsenal+3...-a061434512 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 August 1998}}

{{football box

|date=9 August 1998

|time=13:00 BST

|team1=Arsenal

|score=3–0

|report=

|team2=Manchester United

|goals1=Overmars {{goal|34}}
Wreh {{goal|57}}
Anelka {{goal|72}}

|stadium=Wembley Stadium, London

|attendance=67,342

|referee=Graham Poll (Hertfordshire){{cite book |editor1-first=Peter |editor1-last=O'Malley |title=Official Matchday Programme |date=9 August 1998 |page=66 }}

}}

|valign="top"|300px

|valign="top" width="50%"|

|}

Source:{{cite journal |title=Match Facts |editor1-last=Hunt |editor1-first=Chris |journal=Match |publisher=EMAP Pursuit Publishing |location=Peterborough |publication-date=22 August 1998 |page=6 }}

File:Arsene Wenger.JPG was 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, and the ninth time Arsenal had won it.{{cite web |first=James |last=Ross |title=List of FA Charity/Community Shield Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engsupcuphist.html |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |date=15 August 2013 |access-date=11 January 2014 }} Arsenal became the first southern club{{refn|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.{{cite book |first=Alan |last=Tomlinson |title=A Dictionary of Sports Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r_Ujf9-TmBUC&pg=PA196 |page=196 |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-19-921381-8 }}{{cite book |title=1895: Drama, Disaster and Disgrace in Late Victorian Britain |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vYhvAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT39 |page=39 |first=Nicholas |last=Freeman |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7486-4056-0 }}|group=lower-alpha}} to win the Shield outright since Tottenham Hotspur in 1962. Wenger described the scoreline as "unexpected" and cited the first goal as crucial in the match, given the weather conditions.{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Dorward |title=Charity Shield victory gives Arsenal important psychological edge over Old Trafford rivals |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |date=10 August 1998 |page=21 }} 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. 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.{{cite news |title=Arsene approves of that Wembley winning habit |page=32 |newspaper=Herald Express |location=Torquay |date=10 August 1998 }} Schmeichel felt the upcoming Champions League qualifier was more important than the Charity Shield game, which he considered as a pre-season match.{{cite news |title=Man U on new ground in early cup clash |page=25 |newspaper=Hobart Mercury |date=12 August 1998 }} 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."

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.{{Cite news |first=Mark |last=Pierson |title=Roving role is fine by Giggs |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-roving-role-is-fine-by-giggs-1171585.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-roving-role-is-fine-by-giggs-1171585.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=14 August 1998 |access-date=3 July 2013 }}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |first=Guy |last=Hodgson |title=United poles apart from Lodz |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-poles-apart-from-lodz-1174436.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-poles-apart-from-lodz-1174436.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=27 August 1998 |access-date=3 July 2013 }}{{cbignore}} Arsenal had the upper hand in their two league meetings with United during the season, winning 3–0 at Highbury in September 1998,{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Fergie shell-shocked by awesome Gunners |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/fergie-shellshocked-by-awesome-gunners-433473.html |newspaper=Irish Independent |location=Dublin |date=21 September 1998 |access-date=11 January 2013 }} before a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford in February 1999.{{Cite news |first=Guy |last=Hodgson |title=United rescued by Cole |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-rescued-by-cole-1071629.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-rescued-by-cole-1071629.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=18 February 1999 |access-date=11 January 2013 }}{{cbignore}} 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.{{cite news |first1=Oliver |last1=Holt |first2=Matt |last2=Dickinson |title=One down, two to go for United |newspaper=The Times |date=17 May 1999 |page=25 }} 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.{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Holt |title=Odds grow longer on treble chance |page=29 |newspaper=The Times |date=12 April 1999 }} Manchester United won in extra time – the winning goal scored by Giggs.{{cite news |title=Giggs magic sinks Gunners |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/319696.stm |work=BBC News |date=14 April 1999 |access-date=11 January 2013 }} United then went on to defeat Newcastle United 2–0 in the 1999 FA Cup Final.{{cite news |title=Double joy for United |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/350192.stm |work=BBC News |date=22 May 1999 |access-date=23 May 2014 }} Whereas Arsenal failed to progress past the group stage of the Champions League,{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Tongue |title=Parlour off as Arsenal go out |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-parlour-off-as-arsenal-go-out-1187462.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-parlour-off-as-arsenal-go-out-1187462.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |date=26 November 1998 |access-date=3 August 2014}}{{cbignore}} Manchester United went on to reach the final, where they beat Bayern Munich to win the competition for the second time.{{cite news |title=Treble joy for United fans |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/353844.stm |work=BBC News |date=27 May 1999 |access-date=3 July 2013}} Ferguson's team therefore completed a treble of trophies in one season.{{cite news |title=United crowned kings of Europe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/353842.stm |work=BBC News |date=26 May 1999 |access-date=3 July 2013}}

• 1998–99 Arsenal F.C. season
• 1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season
• Arsenal F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry

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{{FA Community Shield}}

{{1998–99 in English football}}

{{Arsenal F.C. matches}}

{{Manchester United F.C. matches}}

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