Why Wenger can take pride in his crusade

By IAN LADYMAN

Sir Alex Ferguson was unusually generous to Arsene Wenger ahead of this game, the United manager suggesting he felt a little sorry for his greatest modern rival.

After another admirable performance by Wenger's players on Sunday, it was hard not to agree.

The record books may show that Arsenal finished only third in the Barclays Premier League this season and ended another season without silver.

They will not tell the story of another season decorated with terrific play, a campaign in which they have contributed so much.

Arsenal produced a display of elegance, vibrancy and determination at Old Trafford.

To come to the North-west again and play so well after the trauma of last Tuesday's Champions League defeat at Liverpool spoke volumes for their mental and physical reserves. To leave with nothing was tough, to say the least.

As Wenger tried to put a brave face on things he was asked a remarkable question on TV. 'Does the team need ripping up?'

Of course it doesn't . To dismantle a side containing such emerging talents as Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Alexander Hleb and Theo Walcott would be the equivalent of wandering into the Tate with a chainsaw and setting about the artwork.

Wenger's team merely needs bolstering, deepening and nurturing. Next season, Arsenal will be better. If they are not awaiting their coronation as champions a year from now, then it will have taken a remarkable team to stop them.

If the players mentioned above, along with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, can improve at a similar rate to, for example, United's Cristiano Ronaldo then surely Arsenal can reach great heights in the coming years.

'In football, the winner is often praised beyond reason and the guy who doesn't is slaughtered beyond reason. But I feel we have done a lot for the Premier League this year.'

When Wenger sits at his desk on Monday morning and surveys the wreckage of this season, it will be clear to him where he needs to improve.

Arsenal have suffered at centre half and perhaps need more maturity and physicality at the heart of their midfield. That apart, they simply need more experience. Wenger's players need to use the setbacks of the past week to motivate them for future title challenges.

Ferguson admitted that Arsenal were the better team on Sunday. Clichy, who has developed into the outstanding left back in the Premier League, was exceptional. So was Hleb, and Walcott when he was introduced in the latter stages of the game as an impact substitute.

Ultimately, it was captain William Gallas who betrayed them with the handball that let United back into it. One wonders if the emotional Frenchman is the right man to lead Wenger's team.

Football is not always about immediate gratification. It can also be about the future. Arsene Wenger has already built two great teams at Arsenal. The chances are that he will prove that to us once again.