How Arsenal and Sheffield United share unlikely FA Cup rivalry

If asked to name some of football’s greatest rivalries, Arsenal and Sheffield United wouldn’t be the first pair that springs to mind.

These are two clubs not bound by geography or regular battles in the league, but by a remarkable history of drama in the FA Cup.

It is a rivalry set to be renewed on Sunday when Arsenal travel to Bramall Lane for their FA Cup quarter-final – LIVE on talkSPORT.

From one of the greatest saves ever to a match which was actually declared void, it’s never dull when the Blades meet the Gunners.

The two clubs have faced off 12 times in English football’s famous competition, dating all the way back to their first ever encounter in 1903.

Sunday will be their first cup clash for 15 years, so here’s a reminder of some of the best moments this fixture has served up down the years.

Arsenal stunned in 1996

Believe it or not, there was quite a long time when Arsenal were better than Sheffield United.

With the likes of talkSPORT favourites Ray Parlour and Martin Keown in the side, as well as Ian Wright and Dennis Bergkamp up front, the Gunners were building a team which would soon win the double.

But they were very much an unfinished product under Bruce Rioch – and that was clear when they met Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Dane Whitehouse earned the second-tier Blades a replay after cancelling out Wright’s opener at Highbury, before Carl Veart secured a memorable 1-0 win at Bramall Lane in the replay.

Kanu’s void debut

As debut’s go, they don’t come more spectacular than Kanu’s for Arsenal in 1999, albeit for the wrong reasons.

Having just signed for the Gunners, the Nigerian was a little too eager to impress.

After Sheffield United booted the ball into touch so a player could receive treatment, Kanu collected the resulting throw-in and said ‘thank you very much’.

Instead of returning the ball to the Blades, the new signing simply ran at goal and squared the ball to Marc Overmars to score and put the Gunners 2-1 up.

United’s fury was matched only by the embarrassment of senior Arsenal players and officials, who incredibly decided the game should be declared void and replayed.

Arsene Wenger offered Steve Bruce’s side a rematch, which the Gunners ended up winning anyway.

David Seaman’s greatest ever save

Would you look at that, another talkSPORT favourite!

While he has become better known for his loveable personality and infectious chuckle, he was a pretty sensational goalkeeper not too long ago.

The ponytailed Arsenal legend was in his prime around 2003 and pulled off perhaps his greatest ever save during an FA Cup semi-final against, you guessed it, Sheffield United.

It’s one of those gravity-defying, ‘how did he actually do that’ saves. And it was a hugely important one, too.

Arsenal advanced to the final thanks to a slender 1-0 win, where they beat Southampton by the same scoreline.

You might also notice a young Phil Jagielka in action in footage below and he could star on Sunday for the Blades