Steve Bruce will not look back at what happened 23 years ago on Sunday, when Arsenal handed the then-Sheffield United boss the ‘most sickening moment’ of his career.
The Gunners had been drawn at home to Bruce’s First Division Blades in the fifth round of the FA Cup, with Arsene Wenger taking no chances by naming a strong line-up.
Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Viera and Ray Parlour all started for the hosts but United delivered an impressive performance to put themselves on course for a replay in the cup tie.
Viera had put Arsenal in front when he climbed highest to head home Bergkamp’s free-kick 30 minutes into the match, but were unable to find the crucial second goal before half-time.
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They were punished for those missed opportunities at the start of the second-half, when Marcelo powered in Paul Devlin’s cross to equalise.
Arsenal continued to struggle to break down their lower league opposition and Bruce’s side looked well placed to take the tie to a replay.
But with just 14 minutes remaining, the game descended into chaos with an incident that led to legendary boss Wenger offering his counterpart a rematch.
United star Lee Morris suffered an injury, with Blades keeper Alan Kelly kicking the ball out of play to allow him to receive treatment.
Once that had happened, Parlour attempted to throw the ball back to Kelly to restart the game, something that substitute Nwankwo Kanu did not understand was happening.
Kanu had not long arrived from Inter Milan and latched onto Parlour’s throw, moved down the right wing and crossed into Marc Overmars who slotted home what would prove to be the winner.
The visitors were left furious by what Kanu and Overmars had done, surrounding referee Peter Jones.
But despite a six-minute delay, in which five Blades players were booked, the goal was allowed to stand, with Arsenal holding on to win.
Wenger was horrified by what had happened though and after discussions with chairman David Dein, the Gunners offered United a rematch.
“The second goal is a controversial goal and we feel that it is not right. We have the feeling that we didn't win the game like we want to win our games,” Wenger said.
Bruce meanwhile struggled to contain his fury at the manner of Arsenal’s win, though praised Wenger for his offer.
“I could not believe my eyes, I could not understand what was happening and if any of my players had done anything like that I would have sorted them out straightaway,” he said.
“At the time it was perhaps the most sickening moment of my entire career, certainly of my managerial experience.
“My gut reaction at the end was that we had been robbed. It is hard enough for any team to go to Highbury and play a great club like this and survive. But we looked like doing it until that goal I will never forget as long as I live.”
The FA granted their request, with the rematch scheduled for 10 days later and Wenger’s side forced to play five games in 15 days as a result.
Once again, Arsenal named a strong team and Overmars was again on the scoresheet, putting the Gunners ahead 15 minutes in.
Unlike their struggles in the first game, the Gunners did score the second goal of the match when Bergkamp produced an exquisite chip on the turn.
Morris was able to pull a goal back, but Bruce’s side were unable to find an equaliser, with Arsenal advancing into the quarter-finals.
Bruce was still left bitter by the defeat and clearly had no desire to forgive and forget what had happened in the first game.
“The players showed great dignity and they have run their socks off tonight,” he said.
“Arsenal's gesture was first class but it would have been nice to have had Arsenal back at our place. In our heart of hearts we all know our chance went with that incident 10 days ago.”
The Gunners would go on to reach the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Manchester United, while Bruce would resign as the Blades’ manager at the end of that season.
