Soccer Moment

The Scotsman has praised his rival's ability to know when it's time for a player to leave the Gunners.

Manchester United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford this Saturday, and Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson has spoken out in praise of the man who will be plotting his side's downfall tomorrow, Arsene Wenger.

Ferguson thinks one of the keys to the Frenchman's success at the north London outfit has been his knack of knowing just the right moment at which to sell a player, meaning that there have been few players remaining with the Gunners once their peak days are over.

He was also not taking the threat presented by a rapidly improving Arsenal side lightly.

"A young team, like Arsenal, which is maturing, has to be respected and regarded," he told Sky Sports News.

"And I think one thing that Arsene Wenger has done fantastically well in his time at Arsenal is that he's always sold at the right time. He's known when it's time for a player to leave.

"It's not easy to manage that kind of change. And he's done it again with [Emmanuel] Adebyor and [Kolo] Toure."

Ferguson also felt that the Gunners would once again be challenging for the title, having perhaps gained the experience their young side needs to begin pushing the other top four close once more.

"I think that Arsenal have got to make up that ground from last season. They maybe lack the experience of ourselves, Liverpool and Chelsea, but nonetheless they will be there," he asserted.

"They will be very close this year."