Fergie: 'There's not a lot wrong with Arsenal'

Sir Alex Ferguson insists there is “not much wrong” with Arsenal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is coming under increasing pressure following his side’s recent problems, but Fergie has sympathy for one of his greatest rivals.

And as he gets set to take his Manchester United side to the Emirates on Sunday, he knows his team will be in for a severe test, especially after they inflicted an embarrassing 8-2 defeat on the Gunners earlier in the season.

Ferguson said: “It’s always a hard game with Arsenal, but it should be a good game.

“They’ve recovered well [after we beat them 8-2]. They’ve qualified for the next stage of the Champions League so there’s not a lot wrong there.

“They’ve had to contend with injuries to defenders, especially the two full-backs, Sagna and Gibbs, who have both been out for quite a while. It’s not easy to be without your two regular full-backs. They’ve equipped themselves well.”

The Arsenal game is the first in a sequence of big games for United, and Fergie recognises the significance of the next few weeks.

“It’s the start of a hectic spell for us,” he added. “We’ve got Liverpooltwice, Tottenham, Chelsea, and of course Arsenal. It’s a fantastic run of games and I hope we come through it well. It could decide a lot of the season.”

Ferguson expects to have Phil Jones and Chris Smalling back for the trip to Arsenal.