Art attack - The whole world will be watching our Emirates masterpiece, says Wenger

"The football world will stop, everyone will be watching," Wenger enthused. "The two teams are playing so well at the moment."

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Clashes between United and the Gunners have often been ugly — bordering on violent — and the two managers have fanned the flames with a long-lasting feud.

That animosity lingers on. I yesterday as Sir Alex Ferguson and Wenger spoke and it will take only the tiniest spark of controversy to blow it open as they duel once again for the Premier League title.

But, with both teams in glorious attacking form and committed to their philosophies of flair, the appetite is building for a lunchtime feast at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger: "It is two teams who play flowing football at a high pace and that's always worth watching.

"The game can become an art when that happens and you should never miss that.

"United are more technical and a little less physical than a few years ago. But the commitment is always high."

United have scored four goals in each of their last four games and Arsenal are unbeaten in 24 matches since April.

Ferguson said: "Both teams will be hellbent on making sure they win and that's the mouthwatering aspect of it.

"Everyone who has a ticket will be rubbing their hands because, without question, the form of both teams, the goals they are scoring and the football they are playing point to a big occasion."

In 22 Premier League games since Wenger became Arsenal manager in 1996, the two clubs have won eight each and six have been drawn but Ferguson reminded his French opposite number that his latest team will be judged on silverware.

"The test is what's in the trophy cabinet at the end of the season," said Ferguson, who celebrates 21 years at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

"Arsenal are no different to us, Chelsea or Liverpool; they are judged on what they win."

Wenger admits two years without a trophy and Arsenal's failure to compete for the title since they won it in 2004 had lessened the intensity of this fixture. The emergence of Chelsea also drove Jose Mourinho between the feuding managers.

"It dropped off for two years because we were not good enough," said the Arsenal boss.

"I missed it greatly because I don't put in the effort to finish fourth. I want to win the League and this game is back to tradition because in the past 10 years a lot of these games were the decider for the championship."

Wenger accepts others are still involved in the title chase but knows today's showdown gives his players the chance to establish control at the top.

"We want to extend our lead, we want to win the game and dominate Man United," he said.

Relations between the rival clubs were tested by the hint of a tapping-up row over comments from Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who claimed United had tried to buy him in the summer.

Wenger insisted he knew nothing of any approach and vowed to find out the facts from Adebayor before speaking out.

Ferguson, meanwhile, was unable to resist a swipe at London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea as he responded to the warning from sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe that "obscene" wages paid to footballers would force ticket prices even higher and push fans out.

Salford - born Sutcliffe pointed to United's increase in ticket prices and criticised the club's policy of insisting supporters buy tickets for cup games in addition to season tickets.

Ferguson said: "I thought that was unfair and unacceptable because, as we all know, prices at Chelsea and Arsenal are obscene, if you want to talk about obscene. They are almost double our prices."

Wenger bristled at Ferguson's words, saying: "The difference in prices is because the average wages in London are higher than in Manchester.

"If they could put the prices up and people would still attend, they would do it as well.

"I've said many times that I'm concerned by the fact that we have pushed it to the limit in football, and this year there have been the first signs of crowds going down."

There are also the first signs of Wenger and Ferguson limbering up for another epic battle on the pitch and the back pages, but Arsenal's manager offered his support for England's bid to host the World Cup in 2018.

He said: "From 1966 to 2018 is too long, 52 years for the country who invented the game.

"Other countries like Germany have had it twice in that time."