TIGHT AS A DRUM

Whenever Arsene Wenger visits Old Trafford, you feel as though you could put a piece of coal you-know-where and end up with a diamond by half time, such is the Frenchman's anxiety and angst.

Even Fergies pre-match comments about certain United supporters refraining from taunting The Professor with crude jibes did nothing to refrain the crowd or Wenger himself from his prickly reactions to losing yet again to United.

Let me see... today it was... it waaaass... the pitches fault... yeah, that's it.

It had absolutely nothing to do with Anderson buzzing around the midfield, looking like he owns everyone, including Fabregas.

It had absolutely nothing to do with an immaculately-positioned back-line, with Evra and Rafael bombing forward when the opportunity presented itself.

It had nothing to do with Park, Wazza, and Nani interchanging and linking play with runs from the midfield, with Nani terrorizing the Gunners yet again.

Give me a break, please.

As much as I personally dislike the pedophile references to Mr. Wenger, the Nutty Professor does nothing in-and-around Old Trafford but make a target of himself.

For all of Arsenal's technical wizardry and attempts to be Barcelona-of-the-North, they played more cautious football than West Brom did on this very same ground. That, my friend has nothing to do with the pitch.

Largely, the Gunners created very little today and were simply second best. The United back four owned this match, with vintage performances from Rio and Vidic – two shut-up-shop artisans at their very best.

And there you have it: Arsenal stretched tight, United sealed tight. One-nil to the good, when a more comfortable scoreline seemed justified for the Red Devils.

Now United move two-points clear at top of the table, with a game in-hand as well, before heading to Stamford Bridge to meet Chelsea on the weekend. Can't wait until Sunday.