Grumpy Old Men

This is news of a ridiculous story recently between Arsene Wenger the Arsenal football manager, and Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager. Read the diary of what's happened between them historically, but today the FA got the chairmen of both clubs together, and issued a statement saying that both clubs would try to improve their behaviour.

When I think about recent manager ructions in the past, there have been a few: Alex Ferguson and Kevin Keegan, Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, Alex Ferguson and Jose Morenho .. hang on, is there a pattern forming here? The Manchester United manager has long been known for his gamesmanship, and over the years has managed to wind up a few of the game's principal characters.

What is more surprising is that he has managed to ruffle Arsene Wenger's feathers. Throughout all campaigns, one suspects that the exchanges have only ended up frustrating Alex more - Arsene has remained calm, and almost professorial throughout. This time he looks really upset.

But why, I wonder? there's clearly more to it. True, Arsenal were unbeaten in a whole season, and then a couple of months beyond that, and were playing glorious football. True, they never looked like being beaten. But they no longer look the force they once were, since their run was spoilt by Man Utd back in November. Something happened inside each of their heads .. since then they have been held to a draw by West Brom, Palace, and Southampton, teams everyone would have expected them to do better against.

So, what's eating Arsene? Is it the fact that they are now (relatively) ordinary, and no longer appear to offer a threat to Morenho's Premiership assault, or is it the fact that the person who helped bring about the decline is his nemesis, Alex Ferguson?