THE fall-out from the Battle of Old Trafford 13 months ago left Arsenal's reputation tarnished. Four players - Martin Keown, Lauren, Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour - all banned while another two - Ashley Cole and Jens Lehmann - were fined.

Manchester United were not completely absolved of blame for the clash with Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo charged with misconduct and a third, Phil Neville, warned as to his future conduct.

Tomorrow is the sequel and with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger's war of words done through the media this week there could not have been a higher profile build up to the game.

Not a day has gone by without the suggestion that the disgraceful scenes of Arsenal's last trip to Manchester, which brought widespread condemnation, could be repeated. But, realistically, that is unlikely to be the case.

With no wild man Keown, who apparently is one of the nicest guys you are likely to meet until he ties up his socks and pulls on his shirt, in the Arsenal defence to kick lumps out of Ruud van Nistelrooy, one major cause of the troubles has disappeared.

For over ten years now, there is no doubting the players at both these clubs have always been desperate to get one over their fiercest title rivals every time they enter the pitch together.

Yet, despite all the suggestions of hate, this occasion already looks as if United are only playing for pride.

The only real saving grace for them tomorrow is that they can stop the Gunners from extending their incredible Premiership unbeaten run to 50 games.

The run that borders on the absurd, but achieved with a touch of downright genius, will rankle with Ferguson.

For years the two teams were much of the same and tipping either for the title would be just as plausible.

But Fergie's tinkering, with the sale of David Beckham a major flaw two summers ago, has led to United falling way behind Wenger's men in terms of strength in the squad depth.

Take United's second-choice centre midfielders: Eric Djemba-Djemba or Kleberson. Injuries have led to the young men playing more times than their performances deserve this season.

Yet at Arsenal, take Patrick Vieira out of the side and there are Gilberto Silva, Edu and the outstanding teenage talent of Cesc Fabregas competing for the two midfield spots with a host of others, including Freddie Ljungberg, more than capable of filling in.

Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea boss, claimed this week that United have the best attack in the top-flight - on paper, with van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha jostling for position, he may not sound too wrong.

But none have lit up the Premiership thus far and that is mainly through a lack of creativity from midfield.

Arsenal have already scored a staggering 20 more goals than United and that is the major reason why the gap between the two sides at the top of the table already stands at 11 points.

After the Battle of Old Trafford, Wenger claimed the furore forced Arsenal to improve their disciplinary record and concentrate on the kind of football which has led them to them being labelled as the Invincibles.

Now Ferguson will be privately hoping tomorrow's grudge match can have a similar impact on his stop-start squad.

If not then another season of disappointment at the Theatre of Dreams looks on the horizon.