Arsenal legend Sol Campbell reflects on the Gunners sealing the Premier League title against Manchester United at Old Trafford

IT is a rare and glorious thing to actually seal the Premier League title by beating your nearest rivals.

Manchester City can, of course, do that on Saturday with victory over closest challengers and neighbours Manchester United.

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But the last club to do it were Arsenal who clinched the crown 16 years ago – also with a win against United.

Gunners tough-as-teak former defender Sol Campbell, 43, reflects on the game – and the extra-special feeling of winning it against old foes United…

We knew a draw would be okay but to win and put the title to bed against Manchester United…for us that was a potential utopia moment.

Mathematically we still had another game to win the title against Everton, but looking back winning at Old Trafford still gives me that extra special goose-tingling memory.

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There was such an intense rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United – usually reserved only for derbies. But every time we met United it felt like a local clash.

It seemed like the home and away fixtures between the two clubs were the Premier League games of the season and were must-watch matches for every football fan.

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Four days earlier we had beaten Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup final.

However, we went into the game at Old Trafford without Tony Adams and Thierry Henry after they had picked up knocks at the Millennium Stadium.

This was my first season as an Arsenal player, so from an individual point of view I was on the brink of winning the Double – and clinching it in the space of 96 hours!

We still had two league games remaining at Old Trafford and then against Everton at Highbury the following Saturday to land the Premier League crown.

It would cap the most brilliant season for me personally. I cannot overstate just how good that Gunners side was.

It was a privilege to play alongside those players knowing we all shared the same passion and drive.

Sylvain Wiltord’s goal won us the game but the elation I felt at the end was something quite brilliant.

In that moment you realise you are part of football history – that people will talk about in years to come.

It’s that feeling that kicking a ball against a wall for hours on end as a kid, playing in the street and working every second to become a professional footballer was all in that evening an ambition realised and dream come true.

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An almost Roy of the Rovers scenario. I almost had to pinch myself. Was this really happening to me? I loved the big games.

I was also fortunate that I always slept very well the night before a big occasion.

I always thought getting a decent sleep was key for concentration levels during the 90 minutes and to be alert in the last few moments of a match.

When I reflect playing on a stage like this with so much resting on it was the most natural drug for me. I would defy anyone not to miss playing which such a euphoric ending.

The game may have finished only 1-0 but it was a fantastic game of  football played a frenetic pace.

But Sylvain netted the winner 12 minutes into the second half, coolly slotting home Fabien Barthez’s rebound save from Freddie Ljungberg’s shot.

Then at the end the celebrations could begin. It’s a wonderful memory, Winning the league was the most fabulous feeling – knowing you had been the best team throughout the season.

Arsenal legend Sol Campbell was speaking exclusively to Russell Lanning