Arsene storm warning: Feuding may ruin Chelsea title showdown

Especially when the subject is Ashley Cole: the man everyone suddenly loves to hate. The bad boy who made that brutal tackle when he clattered into Alan Hutton on Wednesday evening.

The left-back who left his leg in. Remarkably, Wenger saw it the same way as everyone else: on TV highlights, with replays and the benefit of round-the-clock coverage of the moment when Chelsea's crazed left-back took leave of his senses.

Butter would not melt in his mouth when he was an Arsenal player, of course. Cole the choir boy. Imagine that.

So, Arsene, was it cynical, or just poorly conceived? 'Nobody thinks Cole didn't deserve to be sent off, but that's the decision of the referee. If you respect the referee, then you have to respect his decision.

'The referee made a mistake but anyone could have made it. On the tackle, watching it at full speed it's very difficult to see what Ashley Cole did.

'I'm not sure Ashley Cole hit him where he wanted to hit him — it can be a complete accident, but you can only see (the real extent) on a replay but no one wants to bring in the technology. For me, he's not a dirty player.'

Either way, English football is on trial this weekened. There are old scores to settle at Stamford Bridge.

Terry has been brooding ever since Eboue nailed him at the Emirates in December and there are fears that the Chelsea captain will seek retribution for the scandalous lunge that put him out for the best part three months.

Watch out, too, for Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard. They will be at each other's throats again and 90 minutes will not pass without someone separating this feuding pair.

Who would be the man in the middle? 'I don't even know who the referee is on Sunday,' claimed Wenger as he prepared his side for the short trip across town.

In fact, it is Mark Clattenburg and he will add to his tally of seven dismissals and 78 cautions so far this season if Stamford Bridge turns into a bloodbath.

'I endorse the FA's campaign, but it's a very sensitive subject and I don't want to put any extra pressure on the referee,' added the Arsenal manager.

'I hate it when there is extra pressure on referees. We have to respect them. I am responsible for my players and my friend Avram Grant is responsible for his.'

They will also be responsible for all that is good in the game: Arsenal, the team with the sweetest of touches, against the awesome power of Chelsea's midfield.

Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Obi — take your pick. This is a team that had Tottenham beaten three times before they blew their lead at White Hart Lane.

Or perhaps history will be on the side of the last team to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

'We know that the outcome of the championship will be down to the direct confrontations between the top teams,' added Wenger.

'Chelsea will not be completely out of it if they lose on Sunday, but it would be a big blow to them and a psychological boost to us.

'We have been the most consistent team in the League. We have lost just one game, at Middlesbrough, and that was under special circumstances.

'I cannot imagine that our consistency will not play an important part in the final game of the season.

'If we win the big games and we continue to be consistent then I am sure we will finish in front of the other sides. I cannot imagine we will lose the League if we only lose one game.

'Chelsea have to win the game because they are further behind Manchester United, but both teams will know the result from the game against Liverpool. It could increase the pressure.'

It could, but being on best behaviour will be the top priority.