How Leeds United crushed Arsene Wenger and Arsenal's Premier League dreams

After a near 22-year reign in north London Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to hang up his managerial jacket for the final time at the end of the season.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Apr 2018, 16:47 BST
Updated 20th Apr 2018, 16:51 BST
Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.
Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.

The Frenchman has guided the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his tenure - but do you remember the day Leeds United ruined Arsenal's chances of winning a second successive top flight trophy?

How it unfolded... Arsenal v Leeds (May 4, 2003)

Peter Reid's United side headed to the capital in the knowledge that all three points would secure Premier League survival but in doing so would hand arch-rivals Manchester United the title at the expense of Wenger's men.

Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.
Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.
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Harry Kewell opened the scoring after just five minutes smashing home a stunning half-volley but the lead only lasted until the half hour mark as forward Thierry Henry levelled.

The score remained 1-1 until the break but just four minutes after the interval left-back Ian Harte struck a venomous free-kick to notch his third goal at Highbury in as many visits and restore an unlikely lead.

Dennis Bergkamp squared up proceedings once more just after the hour mark before Mark Viduka's dramatic 88th minute effort sealed a 3-2 victory and the Whites top flight status for another season.

The Australian collected the ball and drove forward into the Arsenal box to cut back past defender Oleh Luzhny onto his left foot and unleash a fine curling effort past onlooking England stopper David Seaman.

Leeds United celebrate following a 3-2 win in north London.Leeds United celebrate following a 3-2 win in north London.
Leeds United celebrate following a 3-2 win in north London.
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Viduka's goal sent the travelling fans wild who celebrated whilst the home crowd was stunned into sickening silence.

The late strike was also cheered in the north west as Sir Alex Ferguson's men were crowned champions as a result leaving Wenger and his men to pick up the pieces of their shattered dreams of securing a second successive top flight trophy.

What they said...

Peter Reid - "It is a great football club. It has still got great support, anyone at Highbury who has seen the reaction tells you this place is itching to get back into the big time and it is my job to do that. The result at Highbury was terrific for the club, myself and the players. Obviously I was brought in to do a specific job and thankfully that was achieved."

Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.
Mark Viduka seals all three points and Leeds United's top flight status at Highbury in 2003.

Dominic Matteo - ​"I thought the lads battled unbelievably today, we knew how important it was for the club. Everyone from the goalie to ... well everyone just got together and put in a fantastic performance. It's been a really difficult season, but we have got a lot of good players in the squad but not done ourselves justice. We've shown today what we can do and now we need to achieve that next season. Our home form has really been the problem, away from home we've been as good as anyone, so if we sort our home form out we'll be OK."

Related topics:ArsenalLeeds UnitedPremier LeagueLondonManchester UnitedIan Harte