Ferguson miss Keane-Viera clash
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he misses the clashes between his former captain Roy Keane and ex-Arsenal ace Patrick Vieira.
A decade the collisions between Keane and Vieira were among the most eagerly anticipated in the entire Premiership campaign, with the respective competitive spirits boiling over most memorably at Highbury two years ago when the duo clashed in the tunnel over a spat involving Gary Neville.
In the end, the FA were forced to step in and warn the respective factions to cool their tempers. But, as he looks to welcome Arsene Wenger's men, then send them home trailing the Red Devils by a massive 13 points, Ferguson accepts the Keane-Vieira spats were the stuff of legend.
"Roy Keane against Patrick Vieira was an incredible competition between two titans of the game," said Ferguson.
"It was a great competition for years. I used to enjoy it and I think both players enjoyed it too.
"Historically, our matches against Arsenal have always been feisty. When you have clubs with such great histories, who have been competing against each other for titles for so long, I don't think you can avoid that. What you want is to make sure the games are being played fairly."
Although John Terry seems to believe a victory for United, coupled with a win for his Chelsea side against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge will be enough to virtually turn the title into a two-horse race, it is not a theory Ferguson is willing to lend too much weight to.
With just two points from their opening three games, Arsenal's form may be poor by their own high standards but no-one around Old Trafford is getting sucked into thinking the Gunners are a fading force.
"There is extra significance this weekend because the top four are meeting each other but I don't think we can underestimate Arsenal," said Ferguson.
"They are in a transitional period because they have lost big names like Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Ashley Cole.
"We have been in the same situation. You just have to be patient and wait until the younger ones reach the next stage of their development.
"I don't know why their form has not been good but I do know we will have to play to the best of our capabilities to beat them, there is no question about that."
A decade the collisions between Keane and Vieira were among the most eagerly anticipated in the entire Premiership campaign, with the respective competitive spirits boiling over most memorably at Highbury two years ago when the duo clashed in the tunnel over a spat involving Gary Neville.
In the end, the FA were forced to step in and warn the respective factions to cool their tempers. But, as he looks to welcome Arsene Wenger's men, then send them home trailing the Red Devils by a massive 13 points, Ferguson accepts the Keane-Vieira spats were the stuff of legend.
"Roy Keane against Patrick Vieira was an incredible competition between two titans of the game," said Ferguson.
"It was a great competition for years. I used to enjoy it and I think both players enjoyed it too.
"Historically, our matches against Arsenal have always been feisty. When you have clubs with such great histories, who have been competing against each other for titles for so long, I don't think you can avoid that. What you want is to make sure the games are being played fairly."
Although John Terry seems to believe a victory for United, coupled with a win for his Chelsea side against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge will be enough to virtually turn the title into a two-horse race, it is not a theory Ferguson is willing to lend too much weight to.
With just two points from their opening three games, Arsenal's form may be poor by their own high standards but no-one around Old Trafford is getting sucked into thinking the Gunners are a fading force.
"There is extra significance this weekend because the top four are meeting each other but I don't think we can underestimate Arsenal," said Ferguson.
"They are in a transitional period because they have lost big names like Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Ashley Cole.
"We have been in the same situation. You just have to be patient and wait until the younger ones reach the next stage of their development.
"I don't know why their form has not been good but I do know we will have to play to the best of our capabilities to beat them, there is no question about that."
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