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<H2>WENGER PLAYS DOWN FERGIE CRITICISM</H2><DIV id=printsaveline><DIV id=storyinfo>Posted 26/01/07 14:14</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=articlebody><SPAN id=intelliTXT><P nd="1">Arsene Wenger has played down criticism from Sir Alex Ferguson over suggestions Manchester United are a 70-minute team - and maintains "if they are top of the league, that means they do not collapse". <P nd="2">Arsenal came from behind to beat the Barclays Premiership leaders 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend. <P nd="3">Following that dramatic victory - secured by a stoppage-time header from captain Thierry Henry - Gunners midfielder Mathieu Flamini revealed Wenger had told his team at half-time that the Red Devils were not the same side once the 70-minute mark had passed. <P nd="4">Those reported comments were met by a stinging rebuke from Ferguson, who labelled any such suggestions as a "load of nonsense". <P nd="5">Wenger moved to set the record straight when he spoke to reporters kater. <P nd="6">He said: "I did not say they crumble in the last 20 minutes. <P nd="7">"At half-time [last Sunday] it was still 0-0. I said: 'continue to play until the last minute because remember at Old Trafford we scored in the last five minutes'. <P nd="8">"I just said: 'Let's go until the last five. Remember we scored at the end at Old Trafford, why should we not repeat that?' That's all. <P nd="9">"Of course after there was a big analysis that they concede more goals in the last 20 minutes - but most of the time that it because they lead and teams have a go at them. <P nd="10">"Sometimes when they lead 3-0, they concede one in the last five minutes. What people forget is that they are already 3-0 up." <P nd="11">Wenger stressed: "Manchester United are top of the league - and if they are top of the league that means they do not collapse." <P nd="12">Despite their victory, Arsenal remain 12 points behind United in fourth place. <P nd="13">Wenger accepts Ferguson's men are in the driving seat to regain the championship from Chelsea - but is not giving up the fight just yet. <P nd="14">He said: "I am not convinced they will win the title. They are the closest to winning it at the moment, but it is far from being done. <P nd="15">"I believe we have to get as close as possible. <P nd="16">"We have some big games coming up and then we will see how far we can go." <P nd="17">Wenger added: "At the moment they are in the best position, but they have as well a difficult schedule." </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV id=articlebody><SPAN id=intelliTXT><P nd="1">Arsene Wenger has played down criticism from Sir Alex Ferguson over suggestions Manchester United are a 70-minute team - and maintains "if they are top of the league, that means they do not collapse". <P nd="2">Arsenal came from behind to beat the Barclays Premiership leaders 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend. <P nd="3">Following that dramatic victory - secured by a stoppage-time header from captain Thierry Henry - Gunners midfielder Mathieu Flamini revealed Wenger had told his team at half-time that the Red Devils were not the same side once the 70-minute mark had passed. <P nd="4">Those reported comments were met by a stinging rebuke from Ferguson, who labelled any such suggestions as a "load of nonsense". <P nd="5">Wenger moved to set the record straight when he spoke to reporters kater. <P nd="6">He said: "I did not say they crumble in the last 20 minutes. <P nd="7">"At half-time [last Sunday] it was still 0-0. I said: 'continue to play until the last minute because remember at Old Trafford we scored in the last five minutes'. <P nd="8">"I just said: 'Let's go until the last five. Remember we scored at the end at Old Trafford, why should we not repeat that?' That's all. <P nd="9">"Of course after there was a big analysis that they concede more goals in the last 20 minutes - but most of the time that it because they lead and teams have a go at them. <P nd="10">"Sometimes when they lead 3-0, they concede one in the last five minutes. What people forget is that they are already 3-0 up." <P nd="11">Wenger stressed: "Manchester United are top of the league - and if they are top of the league that means they do not collapse." <P nd="12">Despite their victory, Arsenal remain 12 points behind United in fourth place. <P nd="13">Wenger accepts Ferguson's men are in the driving seat to regain the championship from Chelsea - but is not giving up the fight just yet. <P nd="14">He said: "I am not convinced they will win the title. They are the closest to winning it at the moment, but it is far from being done. <P nd="15">"I believe we have to get as close as possible. <P nd="16">"We have some big games coming up and then we will see how far we can go." <P nd="17">Wenger added: "At the moment they are in the best position, but they have as well a difficult schedule." </SPAN></DIV>
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