Fighting for scraps

The problem is not simply that they would have lost; but because they would have lost despite playing good football. Admitted, Arsenal haven8217;t repeated their coruscating form of last season but they are still silk-smooth; and Man United have, in the past three months, played the football that won them eight Premiership titles.

The statistics show that Arsenal have scored more goals so far than at this stage last season; United have had a tighter defence. In terms of points, too, there isn8217;t that much different. Still they find themselves 10 and 11 points, respectively, behind Chelsea. While they play well, the Blues just play better.

For Wenger, losing the Premiership race would be the crueller blow. Operating so far on the strength of a shoestring budget and his unmatched genius for unearthing rough diamonds and then polishing them to near-perfection, he knows that the finishing line to this period of deprivation is in sight. The 2006-7 season will see Arsenal move to their new Emirates Stadium, whose 60,000 capacity means a hike in revenues, ergo more spending power.

It8217;s all teed up nicely for Wenger; that8217;s about the time his latest crop of youngsters Fabregas et al will have the weight of experience added to their talent.

The problem, though, is the next four months. If they fail to win on Tuesday they would effectively have conceded the title; with the Champions League and the FA Cup to play for, motivation then becomes a problem even for a past master at the trade.

Arsenal8217;s problems this season have stemmed largely from related issues; the distractions of Patrick Vieira, who turned down a move to Madrid one that could, arguably, have prevented Real8217;s own current slump in form, and the inability of his teammates to come to terms with their own brilliance of the past season, and with the defeat they suffered at Old Trafford in October.

At least Wenger has time, and age, on his side. Not only is Ferguson approaching his mid-60s, his key players 8212; those who won him most of the eight Premiership titles 8212; are 30 or over. Especially his midfield: Keane can8217;t cut it much longer, Giggs is a flash in the pan, ditto Scholes. They can still pick three points off Bolton and Aston Villa but against Chelsea, or gulp Milan that8217;s at least two too many passengers to carry.

Like Wenger, Ferguson also has young blood on hand; Rooney, who showed at the weekend why United broke the bank for him, and Ronaldo, who is getting better as he matures. And he has Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will return hungrier than ever before. But even their prolific talent can only do s much; Ferguson would pretty much have to rebuild the midfield 8212; and to do so he8217;d have to sell, maybe even sell big.

Ferguson is driven by a fierce pride forged in the shipyards and shopfloors of Glasgow. He exists in the game, revels in its slings and arrows, thrives on its unrelenting, 24215;7 pressure, because he knows he can win. What will happen the day he realises he can8217;t? The day he sees Chelsea 8212; maybe Arsenal, too 8212; too far out to catch, a step away from the tape when his team are just about hitting the home straight?

Last week, with both teams at full strength, Chelsea almost effortlessly outmanouevred United out of the Carling Cup. That, in 90 minutes, is the story of the season for both Wenger and Ferguson.