Ferguson Hails Brave Arsenal After 'best Game of the Year'

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that Arsenal had been the superior side for long spells at Old Trafford but the Manchester United manager was left to reflect on a potentially pivotal weekend in the title race. "If we win our next two games we will be champions," he said. "It's as simple as that."

A jubilant Ferguson felt it was "a nervous day" for the Premier League leaders but he was full of praise for the way they responded to going a goal down.

"We were poor in the first half," he said. "I thought that Arsenal were the better team and that we were a bit nervous. Our passing was poor. The confidence and the way we expressed ourselves was poor and I couldn't wait to get in at half-time.

"When Arsenal scored it forced my hand and we were fantastic after that," he added. "Wayne [Rooney] could have had a hat-trick. But Arsenal had fantastic moments too. It was an incredible game.

"You couldn't ask for more from a team than Arsenal produced. They have given their biggest effort and we have still managed to win it. I watched the Liverpool versus Arsenal game on Tuesday and it was absolutely fantastic but the quality of this game was even more outstanding. There will not be a better game this year."

Arsenal must take immense credit for that and Arsène Wenger refused to criticize his players despite talking of them having "a blip since March". In most people's language that represents a slump. It has been a chastening period for the Arsenal manager but he declared himself "proud" and insisted that his team could regard themselves as being the best football team in the top division.

"Between success and failure this season was very narrow," he said. "We have to accept we will not win the title.

"It is very difficult to swallow because we feel there is not a great difference in technical quality between ourselves, Chelsea and Manchester United. The confidence, however, has dropped in the last two months. I feel we have done a lot for the promotion of the Premier League this year all over the world. I am not an idealist, don't worry, I want to win trophies and I am very sad we did not manage to win one this season but I feel we have done a lot for football.

"We want to continue the way we play and play better and the trophies will come. We have to go beyond the system where the winner is praised, sometimes beyond reason and the guy who doesn't win is always slaughtered."

Wenger said the penalty awarded for William Gallas' handball and the free-kick which led to United's second goal were crucial. "Those two decisions made it difficult for us but overall we have to take it," he said. "With the penalty you can give it or not give it. As for the free-kick I do not think Gilberto touched [Patrice] Evra."