United winning the mind game

And to the four security officials who, despite Sir Alex Ferguson branding them a disgrace for failing to protect him from 'absolute danger', ejected a big nasty bloke who, by all accounts, was far scarier than the chap United's manager recently encountered at Euston Station.

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Judging by the interview Carlos Queiroz gave to the BBC after this tense but slightly disappointing contest, it was not anything like as unpleasant as Ferguson would have us all think. 'It was a great day for football,' said United's assistant manager in praising the way both teams played, as well as the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.

If Ferguson was making his point because he wants to see action taken before he returns to Arsenal, perhaps he could set an example by sending a message to those United fans who sing songs about 'paedophiles' before the two teams meet at Old Trafford on April 12.

Now that is what you call an 'absolute disgrace' and something that needs to stop.

Wenger never complains about that and on Saturday he avoided accusing the referee of favouring the opposition. Instead he offered a far more balanced view of a match that never quite lived up its billing. Was it a work of art that would have stopped the sporting world?

"No," conceded Wenger. "It didn't reach the level in terms of technique that I'd expected, but it was still interesting with contrasting styles."

Curiously, though, the styles were contrasting because Arsenal failed to play the fluent football that has won them so many admirers this season.

Wenger recognised as much when he noted the difference between this performance and the one at Anfield the previous weekend. Against Liverpool they played with the handbrake off. Against Manchester United, however, it was on.

What Wenger then struggled to do was provide an explanation, perhaps because the truth was something he was a little reluctant to face.

Arsenal might remain unbeaten this season and they might still be at the summit of the Premier League, but they froze a little against a side they do not think they have the measure of yet. It certainly looked that way — a case of showing a touch too much respect.

They possess great character, no doubt about that. Not only did they fight back from a goal down at Anfield with a wonderful second half display but they battled back twice on this occasion — first in cancelling out Wayne Rooney's 45thminute goal with an equaliser from Cesc Fabregas soon after the interval, and then with a strike from William Gallas that came just 10 minutes after Cristiano Ronaldo had made the most of a terrific reverse pass from Louis Saha that took out two Arsenal defenders.

The Gallas goal prompted one of the more unusual responses from the feisty Fabregas, who turned to Rio Ferdinand and simply told him to 'f**k off '; evidence not only of Fabregas's dark side but further proof that the defending champions really got to them on Saturday.

Defeat, you suspect, would have had a devastating effect on this precocious Arsenal side and the manner in which they celebrated at the final whistle demonstrated how relieved they were to avoid such a setback.

"They have a great team, so a draw is a good result," said a calmer Fabregas. "But everyone can see we are a team who fight until the last. The capacity of the team is very high."

Wenger agreed. "The second equaliser was significant," he said, "because you never know what the consequences of a defeat might have been.

"It convinces my team that, no matter what kind of circumstances they face, they are capable of finding a solution. That resilience isn't the first quality you see when you look at Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky or Hleb.

Because of their technical ability and because they often make it look easy, their character is disguised. But they have a lot of character."

They do, however, have a problem with their keeper. Manuel Almunia was reckless on Saturday and too often found himself stranded after charging off his line for balls he was never going to intercept, in particular when Ronaldo scored United's second.

While Jens Lehmann has been left out for committing similar errors, Wenger made it clear another such performance from his Spanish goalkeeper would probably offer the German a chance to redeem himself.

"He rushed out to block the cross and I feel he was unhappy with his decision-making," said Wenger.

"Until now he has done very well and I believe in sticking with one goalkeeper. But you cannot tell him: "No matter how many mistakes you make, you'll always be my goalkeeper". You have to give him at least two games."

Not that Wenger should be overly concerned about anything after what has been a super start to the season.

United were marginally better in this game and Ferguson appears to have recruited another terrific central midfielder in Anderson. He outshone Owen Hargreaves against Arsenal and helped reduce the threat of the brilliant Fabregas.

Ferguson dismissed the significance of the contest. "It doesn't tell you anything at the end of the day," he said. "Both teams are going to be challenging for the title."

They are indeed but, mentally at least, this might have just given United a slight advantage.