Evra derisive over Arsenal hopes
December 10, 2010

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By ESPNsoccernet staff

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has dismissed Arsenal as a "football training centre" ahead of Monday's meeting at Old Trafford.

Patrice Evra
GettyImagesPatrice Evra does not believe Arsenal are serious challengers this season

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Arsenal, currently one point clear of United at the top of the table but having played an extra game, have not won a trophy since the FA Cup success of 2005 as Arsene Wenger has kept faith with his academy players.

The Gunners remain in contention for four trophies this season but Evra, who famously said the 2009 Champions League semi-final between the teams was "11 men against 11 boys", has played down their chances of success.

"For me, Arsenal is a football training centre," he told Canal+. "You watch the match, you enjoy it, but are you going to win a title afterwards? That's what people remember.

"It has been five years since they won anything and, for a big club like Arsenal, that is a crisis.

"We can lose against them on the 13th but, at the end of the day, what is there (for Arsenal)? There is nothing. There are no trophies, there is nothing.

"Our real enemy is Chelsea. We are more concerned with Chelsea's results than those of Arsenal, even if we know Arsenal are a great team who can beat Chelsea, us (United) or anyone."

Wenger is well-known for adhering to his principles of attacking football regardless of the opponent.

"When we play against Arsenal, it is really fun," Evra said. "They are a team that plays football who will not come to Old Trafford with 11 men behind the ball.

"We also play football, but the difference is that we also have strength. Sometimes, they cannot kill off matches. We are more efficient."

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, responding to Evra's remarks, said: "We are not children and we will demonstrate that on Monday. We will show Manchester United that Arsenal have really grown."

United have been handed a boost with the news that Evra has been passed fit to face Arsenal along with Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand.

"Everyone is fit," Sir Alex Ferguson told Key 103 on Friday. "Paul Scholes started training yesterday. It was just light stuff but hopefully he will be available for Monday and Rio should be fit as well.

"Jonny [Evans] and Wes [Brown] have had a bit of a virus that has been going around the place [but] we should have a full squad for Monday."

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