Wenger believes result opens up race

If Alex Ferguson agreed with Arsene Wenger's stark analysis that Manchester United might have been 10 minutes from winning the title before Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry turned this match, he was not letting on. A potential nine-point lead for United at the top of the Premiership ended up shrunk to a less intimidating advantage over Chelsea but Ferguson preferred to look on the bright side.

He can afford to be more relaxed in defeat than Jose Mourinho and insisted there would be benefits from yesterday's shattering setback. United would learn from their errors against Arsenal and ensure they were not repeated, he claimed. With trips to come to Liverpool and Chelsea, and with the next away game at Tottenham Hotspur, the Scot needs to hope that is right.

"When I look at it we have some important away games to come and this will be good for us - when we are in awinning position we won't be making the same mistake," the United manager said. "We lost two goals from a position I didn't think we would. We are so disappointed but it's not all doom and gloom."

There was not a hint of either from Wenger, who reflected with happiness not only on his team's comeback but its impact on the championship. "It will open it up for everybody - for us a little bit less than Liverpool, but you never know," he said. "I feel with 10 minutes to go Manchester United were maybe champions but you cannot say that now. It's more open again."

Ferguson was not alone in thinking "nothing was going to stop" United and mentioned Arsenal had resorted to an unusual number of long balls, but Wenger's team had scored in every home league game before this meeting.

"United played well," Wenger said. "They scored a great goal. I think they wanted so much to kill the time it turned against them as well because they lost a little bit their game. In the second half they didn't create a lot. In the first half they looked like they could always be dangerous."

It must pain Wenger to find his team off the pace when they have twice beaten United, defeated Liverpool in the league and both cups and drawn at Chelsea. "I feel this team is developing," Wenger said. "They are young, hungry lions and led well now by Henry. He was not served well today but he worked hard for the team."

Wenger felt the desire of Ferguson's men to try to run down the clock came back to haunt them. He said: "They wanted so much to kill the time that it turned against them as well, because they lost a bit of their game."

He said: "Of course Manchester United will still be strong challengers for the title. This will be a big disappointment for Manchester United - but do not expect them to crumble because of it.

"But it is good for the interest of the Premiership, because everybody still has a chance. We have maybe less than all the others, but will just try to fight to win every game."

The Gunners boss feels his men will have taken a great deal from snatching victory, which extended their fine recent form of just one defeat in 13 games.

Wenger said: "We were a bit nervous at the start and gave them a bit too much respect. "It took us time to get into the game.

"In the first half, Manchester United were more mature. Then we took over in the second half, but they scored on the break.

"It was a test of character, resilience and togetherness, qualities which are very important for the development of the team. This team is developing into young, hungry lions, lead well by Henry."

Wenger looks set to be without Van Persie for some time after an X-ray confirmed the Dutchman had sustained a "partial fracture" to his foot, suffered when scoring the goal.

Ferguson, meanwhile, fully expects his men to swiftly bounce back from what was only their third defeat of the Premiership season. He said "Teams at the top always drop points on the run-in. It happens - but how you cope is important. Only true champions come out and show their worth - and I expect us to do that."

Guardian Service