Ferguson confident Gunners will slip up

ALEX FERGUSON is certain Arsenal will slip up in their bid to depose Manchester United as Premier League champions.

The Gunners are unbeaten in their 14 league games so far and currently lead United by three points with a game in hand.

But, in what is bound to be perceived in some quarters as psychological warfare timed to coincide with the crucial Christmas period, the Old Trafford boss insists they will drop points.

Ferguson said: “Arsenal are playing well, but it’s a long season and they know that, too. They will drop points, there’s no doubt about that.”

United could have been level at the top of the table with Arsenal had they not failed to beat Bolton 10 days ago and Ferguson admitted: “We’d like to be three points better off. If we hadn’t lost to Bolton then we would have been in a great position.”

Meanwhile Gunners boss Arsene Wenger insists his Arsenal squad remain “realistic” – and declared no-one is “dreaming” of the title just yet.

The Gunners could open up a six-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League with victory at troubled Newcastle tonight.

“Maybe for dreamers, they think about the title – but we are realistic people and we know that at 14 games, there is still a long way to go,” he said.

“The championship is fantastic because it is down to consistency and you get that if you are able to get your resources together for every single game — that is why we are not dreamers and are realistic people.

“We do, of course, think we are capable and we will grab that chance if we can get the best out of our team.”

“We have a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our lead in the Premier League, and we want to take this chance like we did at Aston Villa.’’

Wenger has something of a selection headache in midfield tonight – with Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb, Mathieu Flamini and Abou Diaby all unavailable because of injury.

The Arsenal manager, however, can call on the experience of Brazil captain Gilberto to plug any gaps at St James’ Park, with combative teenager Denilson also travelling up to Tyneside.