Freddie Ljungberg believes his former Arsenal team-mate Martin Keown should not have apologised to Ruud van Nistelrooy over the fiery clash of 2003.
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Keown and Van Nistelrooy came to blows at Old TraffordThe pair shook hands earlier in February to end the animosityLjunberg believes Keown should not have said sorry to the DutchmanFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The altercation in question stems from a heated Premier League fixture 22 years ago, which ended in a goalless draw but is remembered far more for its hostile scenes than the scoreline. At the height of animosity between the two clubs – each managed by legendary figures Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson – emotions boiled over in the final minutes of the game when Van Nistelrooy missed a crucial penalty.
That moment triggered a wave of confrontation from Arsenal players, with Keown the most aggressive of the lot. The defender famously jumped and shoved Van Nistelrooy after the miss, resulting in a chaotic scene that saw players from both sides getting involved. The incident was widely covered and ultimately led to disciplinary action by the Football Association for both clubs.
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Fast forward to February this year, and the former foes crossed paths once again at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Despite their history, the two exchanged pleasantries, offering a glimpse into how time can soften even the fiercest of rivalries.
“Martin, are you OK? Good to see you,” said Van Nistelrooy as they shook hands warmly. “Nice to see you,” replied Keown.
Van Nistelrooy added: “It’s been a while eh? I have seen you once at Villa Park, you remember?” Keown said: “Yes. Apologies for all of the shenanigans that went on back in the day.”
Van Nistelrooy quickly brushed it off, saying, “What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. I am happy that I have him in front of me, not at the back of me, you know. It was a good rivalry, wasn’t it? I would like to block you out as well, and then fall over."
WHAT LJUNBERG SAID
"I've seen some of your interviews afterwards and you apologised," Ljunberg told TNT Sports. "I would have never apologised for what happened."
Reflecting on that particular incident, Ljungberg continued: "When you did that, by the way, I felt – I never said this on TV – but that we stood up for ourselves. A lot of people in the media were like: 'We were weak, we could get bullied, we were this, we were that, we’re not strong enough.' And that day, even if it didn't look good, I felt inside that yes, that team, we don't get bullied. And that's what everyone in England said: 'Just kick them and they will fall.' So no."
Keown, in turn, attempted to justify his change of demeanour, saying he was trying to show maturity by making peace with his old rival. “I was just playing the bigger man,” he explained, referencing the handshake and apology during the recent encounter.
But Ljungberg wasn’t having it. “You didn’t have to say sorry,” he insisted. “You didn’t let anyone down that day. You were a leader."
AFPWHAT NEXT?
While time has eased personal tensions between many former rivals, Ljungberg’s comments reveal that the competitive fire still burns when reflecting on one of the most intense periods in Premier League history. For many Arsenal supporters, the “Battle of Old Trafford” symbolised their team's unwillingness to back down in the face of intimidation, and Keown's role in that match became emblematic of Arsenal’s resolve.