Arsenal challenge over - Ferguson

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said he believed his team’s 4-2 victory at Highbury had ended Arsenal’s title aspirations.

Ronaldo (two), Ryan Giggs and John O’Shea were the scorers as the Red Devils twice came back from going behind to take all three points at a hostile Highbury.

Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp scored for the Gunners who seemed to be set on victory, but despite Mikael Silvestre’s red card for head-butting Freddie Ljungberg, they could not respond and with this defeat remain 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.

When asked if defeat spelt the end of the Gunners’ title hopes, Ferguson said: “I think so. Both managers said before whoever lost was out of the title race.

“Having gone behind twice it shows the measure of our character tonight.

“We had the mental strength and on the night we were fantastic in terms of character and will to win and we played some fantastic football.”

Ferguson confirmed he had heard about a fracas in the tunnel prior to kick-off between Vieira and Roy Keane but had few details of what had gone on.

“I heard different stories about it,” he added.

Ferguson admitted overhauling Chelsea presented a tough proposition.

He told Sky Sports: “We could win every game and it may not make any difference.

“The most important thing is to keep going to the end of the season.”