Source: Daily_Mail
Now who's got problems? Fergie has a rethink on danger posed by Arsenal
'Arsenal have got the biggest test to be where they want to be, I think. I know that Arsene doesn't have any money ... I know that. I think that selling Adebayor … well, whether he can use that money is another question. There seems to be evidence that he can't use the money ... I don't know. I think they're struggling cash-wise. It's a big test for Arsenal.'
Sir Alex Ferguson, July 2009
As the rain hammered down on the roof of Manchester United's Carrington training centre yesterday and Sir Alex Ferguson spoke enthusiastically about the onset of winter, the stifling, humid conditions of the club's summer tour to Asia seemed a distant memory.
So, too, did the view that Arsenal may struggle this season. Ferguson certainly didn't write Arsenal off as he looked ahead to the season from his hotel in Malaysia six weeks ago.
He had his doubts about them, though. Doubts that 10 Barclays Premier League goals in two games have gone some way to placing in context.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have not always seen eye to eye
Old adversaries: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have not always seen eye to eye during the Frenchman's time at Arsenal
'I couldn't understand that,' Ferguson said yesterday, when asked about people writing Arsenal off. 'It's a media thing, that cynical part of the job you have to do. Any team there is a doubt about, they tend to be written off.
'But I couldn't see it that way because a young team like Arsenal, which is maturing, has to be respected and regarded.
'I don't think the level of ability has changed one bit. They are very dangerous.'
Just how dangerous the modern Arsenal are will perhaps become clear on Saturday afternoon. Certainly good enough to hammer an out-of sorts Everton at Goodison Park on day one and certainly good enough to dismantle crisis club Portsmouth at the Emirates.
Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie
Sprint start: Arsenal have had a surprisingly good season so far, including a 6-1 thrashing of Everton in their opening Premier League fixture
But good enough to beat United at Old Trafford? That is something else entirely.
'It is an impressive start,' added Ferguson. 'I can't remember the last time Everton conceded six goals. I'm sure that hasn't happened. (Their record loss is 10-4 at home to Spurs in 1958).
'Arsenal have to make up that ground from last season and maybe they lack the experience of ourselves, Liverpool and Chelsea but, nonetheless they will be there, I'm sure of that.
'It will be very close this year and I think the thing that is maybe overlooked a little bit is that Arsene Wenger has got quite a young team that you expect to improve.'
Sir Alex Ferguson
Shock: In contrast to Arsenal's good start, Sir Alex Ferguson has had to watch his side go down at Burnley
Perhaps Arsenal's lowest point last season came at United's hands. A Champions League semi-final between the clubs was won by Ferguson's team at a canter. As United left the Emirates after breezing through the second leg, the gap between the two clubs seemed colossal.
But in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid, the football world perhaps senses a chink in United's armour. Without Ronaldo, they have looked a little predictable at times while it is Arsenal - with a new attacking formation - who have appeared the more cavalier.
Maybe it has been the nature of the opposition that has fooled us all. Perhaps the curtains are about to be closed on Arsenal's brand new dawn.
But Arsenal will arrive at Old Trafford this afternoon imbued with hope and confidence and that should do much for the spectacle.
Defeat for United this afternoon would see questions asked of the champions. They have lost once already at Burnley, and, though their recovery - a 5-0 smothering of Wigan - was impressive, their record against the top teams last season was poor.
Today they face a team that will perhaps enjoy more possession than any other visitors to Old Trafford this season - they traditionally do.
As such, the test facing United's young goalkeeper Ben Foster and a back four that is still without Rio Ferdinand will be significant, while United's unsettled central midfield - perm any two from Michael Carrick, Anderson, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - will have it all on to handle Arsenal's maturing pairing of Alex Song and the Brazilian Denilson.
'With 35 games left you can't say the result is going to mean a lot but it means a lot to us,' added Ferguson.
Wayne Rooney scoring
Bouncing back: Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United to forget their embarrassing defeat to Burnley by scoring in an impressive 5-0 win over Wigan
'Last season against the top teams we dropped six points to Liverpool, four to Arsenal and two to Chelsea.
'We really need to address that and do better. And the first opportunity comes along this weekend.
'It's a big test, a big game, and we know that. Over the years, Manchester United-Arsenal games have been the feature of the Premier League. Some were very feisty.
'I think the character of the teams has changed a bit. We don't have a Roy Keane, they don't have a Patrick Vieira, both volatile characters and dominant figures.
'I think the personality of both teams has changed a bit. But even in last season's 0-0 it got a bit heated in some moments. So it won't be any less competitive but it will be a different type of game.'
Ferguson disputes Wenger's theory that the relationship between the men has improved as a direct consequence of Arsenal's recent failure to offer a genuine threat.
The United manager attributes it to respect earned over time. Whatever the case, it is to be hoped that their bon accord is put to the test this season.
The Premier League needs a strong Arsenal, and for too long it hasn't had one.
