Nani: When Man United ace rattled Arsenal players with iconic showboating in 2008
On February 16, 2008, Manchester United humiliated Arsenal in their FA Cup clash at Old Trafford.
Arsene Wenger complained that his side were down to the bare bones in the build-up to the clash and the team he fielded was truly outclassed.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 16th minute, with further goals from Darren Fletcher and Nani making it 3-0 to United at half-time.
Fletcher then scored with 16 minutes remaining to cap off what was a convincing victory for Alex Ferguson’s side.
The game is still talked about in the present day due to some iconic show boating by Nani in the second half.
The Portuguese forward is known for his impressive array of skills and they were on full display that day against Arsenal.
With his side 4-0 up towards the end of the game, Nani got Arsenal’s players rattled after rubbing their noses in it.
The Portuguese embarked on a mazy run in his own half and kept the ball in the air with a ‘seal dribble’.
After Justin Hoyte fell to the floor, he then sized him up and easily went round him.
He then won a throw-in after Mathieu Flamini came storming in with a slide-tackle. Watch the moment below…
LuÃs Nani enjoying himself against Arsenal 🔥#EmiratesFACup @luisnani pic.twitter.com/1sTlQGWcju
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 16, 2021
Nani wasn’t the only United player that got Arsenal rattled that day as Rooney also managed to wind his opponents up.
Rooney was called offside in the 50th minute.
Gilberto Silva was desperate to get the ball back but Rooney prevented him from doing so as he showed off some fancy footwork. He was eventually given a yellow card.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side really did take the mickey out of Arsenal that day.
Arsenal would have been pleased to see United exit the competition in the next round as they were shocked by Portsmouth.
Pompey then went on to lift the FA Cup later that year as they beat Cardiff in the final at Wembley.