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"I thought he would miss" - Keown lifts lid on '99 and Bergkamp

This weekend, Arsenal and Manchester United will face off in the FA Cup fourth round. Coincidenta...



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"I thought he would miss" - Keown lifts lid on '99 and Bergkamp

This weekend, Arsenal and Manchester United will face off in the FA Cup fourth round.

Coincidentally, it comes 20 years on from a semi final replay that has gone down in folklore.

That replay at Villa Park saw Ryan Giggs score a famous solo winner which was part of Man United's iconic treble season.

Not only that, but Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp missed a penalty in that highly charged atmosphere.

Former Arsenal defensive rock Martin Keown was on the pitch that day and joined us to reminisce.

"I could just see the look on his face"

One thing he felt at the time was that he didn't expect Bergkamp to score that late penalty, which is a surprise given how outstanding the Dutch master was.

"I still can't believe that we didn't win that game," said Keown who started in the back-four.

"I think the fortunate thing was that Dennis Bergkamp was taking that penalty. Dennis had more to lose than anybody else. He didn't play in the previous final the year before when we won it - he was injured. I could just see the look on his face when he went up to take the ball. He didn't have that usual glow that he had and I wondered in the moment should I say something.

"But you can't interrupt somebody else taking a penalty. It's just not on. I thought he would miss. I never felt confident and it seemed to give [Manchester United] an extra resolve. By winning the cup game against us, they then went on and won the league and the Champions League. I think that gave them the confidence to propel themselves forward."

Keown also recalled paying a visit to the Man United dressing room at full-time.

"I went into the Manchester United dressing room after that semi-final," he said.

"And I'd never do it again because there was wild celebrations. I think one or two must have seen us but it didn't curtail celebrations - and nor should it.

"I had no right to go in there but I wanted to say 'Congratulations'. Because they were epic battles and you felt like you wanted to square things off afterwards. But I think that they were so, so relieved that they were maybe more ruthless than we were. But I like to think we found that ruthlessness going forward."

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1999 Arsenal Fa Cup Football Manchester United Martin Keown Off The Ball Ryan Giggs Semi Final Soccer Sport