Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ star Lauren has admitted that one “intelligent” and “extraordinary” Manchester United legend was his toughest opponent ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo or Arjen Robben.
Arsene Wenger’s 2004 Arsenal side became the first – and only – team in history to complete a full 38-match Premier League season without a single league defeat.
The Gunners signed off the 2003-04 Premier League season as champions, with Arsene Wenger’s men picking up a win in 26 matches and securing 12 draws.
Arsenal’s 90-point total put the Gunners 11 points ahead of second-place Chelsea and 15 points ahead of third-place Manchester United in 2004.
Lauren made 32 Premier League appearances for Arsenal in their undefeated league campaign, with the ex-Arsenal star starting 30 league matches for Wenger’s men.
Lauren names Man Utd legend as toughest opponent
Legendary ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brought Lauren to the Emirates in 2000 after he left Spanish side Real Mallorca and signed for the Gunners.
Lauren made 241 appearances for Arsenal and the 47-year-old former right-back lifted two Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his time at the club.
Speaking on The Italian Football Podcast, the ex-Arsenal star opened up about his football career and the toughest player he crossed paths with on the pitch.
Lauren insisted that Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs would be “above everyone” for the most difficult opposition he played against in his career.
“I always say Ryan Giggs,” he said.
“He was an extraordinary player. Above every player who played on my side. Above [Arjen] Robben, Duff, Cristiano Ronaldo, above everyone.
“He was a fantastic player. He made you improve your game, challenge your own tactics to stop him.
“Always driving the ball, so intelligent, he had everything. So, I always say one of the best games I ever played for Arsenal was when we won the double against him at Old Trafford.”
Giggs on his toughest Arsenal opponent
Ryan Giggs had a legendary playing career at Old Trafford and the United legend spent the majority of his club spell under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former United star made a name for himself during the 1990s as one of the breakout ‘Class of ‘92’ stars from the Red Devils’ youth academy.
Giggs was a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary teams of the past and the Welshman made a whopping 952 appearances for United.
The 50-year-old ex-United winger became all too familiar with the legendary rivalry that Red Devils icon Ferguson and Arsenal legend Wenger shared in their careers.
Speaking on the Coaches’ Voice in 2019, Giggs revealed that former Arsenal star Lee Dixon was “one of the most difficult opponents” he faced in his career.
“I often say Lee Dixon was one of the most difficult opponents, because he was quickish but also he was intelligent,” he said.
“So, I think he always got his distances right, which not all full-backs do, especially quick ones because they always think they can get out of jail.
“Very often they would go [mark] tight and you only need, doesn’t matter how quick you are, a couple of yards if you’re clever enough.
“Lee Dixon always got that distance right so that you couldn’t spin in behind but also if you did get the ball to feet, he was up to you. He was able to stop you getting the ball into feet or to hurry you in your decision-making.
“Highbury was a tight pitch as well, so I enjoyed playing against him more at Old Trafford than at Highbury. It wasn’t really a winger’s dream.
“I had many battles with him over the years. [He was] intelligent, quick, brave and also, he made you run back as well.
“Very often the toughest opponents I’ve played against — Cafu, [Javier] Zanetti — they were the players who’d make you work as well, make you run back.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/FoclrIJ