It took a lot for Sir Alex Ferguson to accept defeat during his trophy-laden stint in charge of Manchester United, yet even the Scot must have known early on during the 2003-04 Premier League campaign that Arsenal were going to take some stopping as far as winning the title was concerned.

Indeed, when Ferguson took his United side to Highbury 11 years ago today, the unbeaten table-topping Gunners were 12 points better off than their visitors.

Those circumstances meant that if the Red Devils were to have any realistic chance of retaining their title, they had to leave North London with all three points in tow.

Thierry Henry had other ideas, though, when after a frantic first half, he fired Arsenal in front in the 50th minute.

Jose Antonio Reyes squared a pass for the Frenchman, who unleashed a swerving right-footed shot from 25 yards out that completely deceived United goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

However, United's attacking intent was rewarded four minutes from time in the form of an equalising goal.

Ruud van Nistelrooy failed to make a connection with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's low cross, but substitute Louis Saha was on hand to turn the ball in from close range at the back post.

Despite the late setback, Arsenal had eclipsed the achievements of Leeds United and Liverpool by going 30 matches unbeaten from the start of a season.

What's more, they needed 18 points from their remaining eight matches to secure top spot - something Ferguson admitted was inevitable.

"We're 12 points behind Arsenal and they'll go on and win the league, I'm sure of that," the United boss said after the final whistle.

"They are playing with great determination and they should win it now with just eight games to go."

ARSENAL: Lehmann; Lauren, Campbell, Toure, Clichy; Pires (Bergkamp), Vieira, Edu, Ljungberg (Cygan); Reyes (Silva), Henry

MAN UNITED: Carroll; G Neville, Brown, Silvestre, O'Shea; Fletcher (Solskjaer), Djemba-Djemba (Saha), Keane, Scholes, Giggs; Van Nistelrooy