‘I’m nonetheless irritated about Giggs’ well-known FA Cup winner. I allowed myself to be distracted by Yorke’s intelligent run – with out it, Giggs wouldn’t have gotten previous me’: Arsenal defender displays on 1999 semi-final defeat to Manchester United

January 4, 2025

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Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has admitted he’s nonetheless irritated that he didn’t cease Ryan Giggs’ well-known solo aim for Manchester United within the 1999 FA Cup semi-final.

After choosing up a unfastened go from Patrick Vieira on the midway line at Villa Park, the Manchester United winger skipped previous the Frenchman earlier than shimmying his means by Arsenal duo Keown and Lee Dixon, earlier than smashing the ball into the roof of David Seaman’s aim.

That aim in extra-time ensured Manchester United could be heading to the FA Cup last, finally sending them on their option to the treble that yr. For Keown, although, there are mitigating circumstances for why he didn’t cease Giggs from flying previous him.

Arsenal didn’t cease Ryan Giggs because of Dwight Yorke’s intelligent run

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 4: Ryan Giggs of Manchester United scores the winning goal for Manchester United in extra time during the FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal v Manchester United at Villa Park on April 4, 1999 in Birmingham, England. Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2 (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Giggs’ solo aim (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)

“It’s not simple, however I can look again on it and analyse the problems that hindered me stopping him,” Keown tells FourFourTwo. “Dwight Yorke made a incredible run. I used to be approaching Giggs and I’d often present him to the road, however Yorke made a intelligent run and I got here off the right line.

“I used to be a really first rate man-marker, however I allowed myself to be distracted by Yorke’s motion. His run allowed Giggs to return inside me, which I’m nonetheless irritated about. With out it, Giggs wouldn’t have gotten previous me.”

Regardless of Vieira’s misplaced go giving Giggs the liberty to supply such a superb solo aim, Keown nonetheless believes that the towering midfielder deserves a statue outdoors the Emirates Stadium.

Martin Keown at Arsenal in 1996

Keown didn’t cease Giggs (Picture credit score: Alamy)

Whereas discussing probably the most proficient gamers he stood alongside at Arsenal – for which there are various – Keown highlights Vieira because the “catalyst” for fulfillment that adopted below Arsene Wenger.

“That’s arduous,” Keown admits when requested the query. “It’s like asking me to call my favorite brother.

“There have been the forwards – Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Marc Overmars – and alongside me there was Tony Adams, who was an unimaginable expertise, and Sol Campbell, too.

“However once I’m requested that, my fast response is Patrick Vieira. With out Patrick, these forwards, these large skills, wouldn’t have gotten on the ball. He was the catalyst, actually. If he gained the battle in midfield, we gained the match. He demanded and he dictated; we performed from there. There needs to be a statue of Patrick outdoors the Emirates.”

‘I’m nonetheless irritated about Giggs’ well-known FA Cup winner. I allowed myself to be distracted by Yorke’s intelligent run – with out it, Giggs wouldn’t have gotten previous me’: Arsenal defender displays on 1999 semi-final defeat to Manchester United

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