Freddie Ljungberg: Keown Shouldn’t Have Apologised to Van Nistelrooy for 2003 Clash
Freddie Ljungberg has questioned Martin Keown’s decision to apologise to Ruud van Nistelrooy over their infamous clash during Arsenal’s fiery 2003 encounter with Manchester United.
Back in 2003, tensions boiled over at Old Trafford during a goalless draw between title rivals Arsenal and United. The drama peaked when Van Nistelrooy missed a late penalty, sparking an aggressive reaction from several Arsenal players—none more so than Keown, who leapt at the Dutch striker in a chaotic scene that became one of the most iconic moments of the Premier League era. Both clubs were later disciplined by the FA.
Fast forward to February 2025, Keown and Van Nistelrooy met again at Leicester’s King Power Stadium, where they exchanged handshakes and kind words. Keown even offered an apology: “Apologies for all the shenanigans that went on back in the day.”
But Ljungberg wasn’t impressed. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said, “I saw some of your interviews where you apologised. I would never have apologised for that.”
He added, “Back then, people said Arsenal could be bullied. That day, we showed we couldn’t. Even if it didn’t look pretty, we stood our ground. You didn’t need to say sorry. You didn’t let anyone down—you were a leader.”
Keown later explained his gesture as an attempt to show maturity, saying, “I was just playing the bigger man.” But Ljungberg clearly feels some rivalries—and the pride that comes with them—don’t need smoothing over.
For Arsenal fans, the Battle of Old Trafford remains a symbol of their team’s grit and defiance. And for Ljungberg, that moment still represents something worth standing by—no apologies necessary.
‘I would never apologise’ – Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg calls out former team-mate Martin Keown for saying sorry to Ruud van Nistelrooy over infamous fiery clash with ex-Man Utd striker
