Not since Zinedine Zidane lined up Marco Materazzi’s chest with his head in Berlin over three years ago have so many opinions, distortions, hyperbole and hypocritical utterances been spewed forth.

The “Henry Incident” has provided an opportunity for outlandish stereo-typing and xenophobia.  Opportunists have embraced a platform from which to moralize while others see the chance to advocate the red herring solution of video replay.  (When Tony Cascarino lectures on ethics and fair play and isn’t laughed out of town then the apocalypse must be at hand.)

Certainly the goal should have been disallowed and the Republic of Ireland and their fans have a right to be aggrieved and to feel badly let down. The officials got the call wrong – either through not

Yes it is too early in the season to talk of title deciders and must win games but a Manchester United – Arsenal clash is guaranteed to get the juices flowing no matter when it takes place.

These two teams have served up some classics over the years. What’s more it will not have escaped the notice of the two managers that Arsenal’s previous wins in the league at Old Trafford have a strong correlation to the Gunners winning the title.

Arsenal have won four top flight titles in the last two decades and have only won four times at Old Trafford in the league in that time and all by 1-0 scorelines. Three of wins have been precursors to winning the league while an infamous scoreless draw in September 2003 proved to be a critical moment in their unbeaten season of 2003/04.

October