Arsenal Vs Manchester United

Ferguson: Arsenal are stronger

Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled Arsenal a more aggressive side than they were last year.

The Manchester United manager is preparing for another showdown with Arsene Wenger's men at Old Trafford on Monday night knowing a place at the top of the Barclays Premier League is the prize for the winner.

It promises to be a fascinating duel, not least because neither side has been on top form over a consistent period this term despite securing the top two places.

Arsenal have lost three times on home soil while United have been held to seven draws in an unbeaten 15-match start to the campaign.

Yet Monday should suit both sides as Ferguson's team have reserved their best performances for Old Trafford, while Arsenal head north on the back of five away wins on the trot, a record which, according to the United boss, has been achieved by mixing some steel to the finesse Wenger's teams are so renowned for.

The United manager still sees the same passing style. It is just that Wenger is trying to incorporate a more robust approach, as they used to do when Tony Adams was in his pomp.

"I think they'll still try to play the attractive football Arsene believes in, but there's definitely been a slight change" Ferguson told www.manutd.com.

"The general shape of the team has been far more mature and aggressive this year.

"They're top of the league - that's a sure indication that they are better than they were last year and they'll have a chance.

"They were very difficult to beat in the days of Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira and the three at the back - Keown, Adams and Bould.

"That brought them great success and I think that this team is showing that kind of maturity now."

Ferguson does not believe the fixture with Arsenal has lost any of its gloss since the emergence of Chelsea as a title-winning force.

"The games, particularly four or five years ago, were so important because both of us were challenging for league titles," he said.

"Chelsea have now come in and it's been ourselves and Chelsea over the last five years.

"Nonetheless, it's Manchester United against Arsenal and the history of both teams always guarantees a match of intensity and a lot of the time, controversy.

"I think Monday night's game will be more or less the same because the pride and history of both clubs determine that."