Henry: Rivalry with United? Don’t make me laugh

THIERRY HENRY revealed last night that Arsenal’s dressing room is rocking to the sound of laughter about Arsene Wenger’s rivalry with Alex Ferguson.

The Gunners' boss and Manchester United manager are portrayed as bitter enemies on the back pages of newspapers.

But, for all super-confident Wenger's digs at Alex and the retaliatory claims of arrogance, the Arsenal players take the apparently thorny issue with a healthy pinch of salt.

Henry, who set up both goals in Sunday's 2-1 Highbury victory against Everton taking the Gunners back above United now has his sights set on Chelsea in tonight's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Stamford Bridge. The Frenchman said: "Do you want me to tell you what I think about it? I'll tell you it's funny. It puts me in a good mood and the players all laugh about it.

"The title race is more exciting when a different team is at the top from one week to the next. Someone gets closer then the other team comes back.

"The team that is there at the end will be the one that deserves it.

"Last year, we ended up on top and Liverpool and Man United only dropped points right at the end.

"It's starting to get closer and the most important thing is to be top at the end. We're there now but that doesn't mean anything."

Wenger, Henry and co turn their attention to the FA Cup tonight, attempting to see off Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea at the second attempt.

"The cup is a series of one-off games, but when you win the league, the pleasure you get comes from the fact you've been working for it from the first game to the last.

"The team that wins the league is the team that deserves it.

"You can't say you are unlucky because it's over 38 games," he said.

"It's very close. I remember at the beginning of the season people were saying Manchester United had already lost it.

"But they're still there and I'm sure they will be there at the end. Newcastle are also showing that they've got a good, young squad.

"We all need to watch out for them because they are a good team and want to make it last. They're doing very well.

"We failed against Valencia and everyone was waiting for us to fail against Everton," Henry added.

"Everton was a tricky one. Everyone was talking and telling us to watch out for them so the pressure was on us, but we played well as a team and it was down to who wanted it most."

Remaining fixtures

ARSENAL: Apr 5, Aston Villa (a); Apr 15, Man Utd (h); Apr 19, Middlesbrough (a); Apr 26, Bolton (a); May 3, Leeds (h); May 7, Soton (h); May 11, Sunderland (a).

MAN UTD: Apr 5, Liverpool (h); Apr 12, Newcastle (a); Apr 15, Arsenal (a); Apr 19, Blackburn (h); Apr 27, Spurs (a); May 3, Charlton (h); May 11, Everton (a).

NEWCASTLE: Apr 6, Everton (a): Apr 12, Man Utd (h); Apr 19, Fulham (a); Apr 21, Aston Villa (h); Apr 26, Sunderland (a); May 3, Birmingham (h); May 11, West Brom (a).