Peace not pizza on fab menu

No-one has actually owned up to being responsible for forcing United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to exchange a soup-andpizza- stained suit for a tracksuit following a food fight in the tunnel after a stormy Old Trafford clash in October, 2004.

Emotions were running high after Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run had been brought to a crashing halt by United – and in the ‘Battle of the Buffet’ it was the then 17-year-old unused sub Fabregas who launched a slice of pizza at startled Fergie.

Now it will be pizza margheritas all round at The Emirates if the Gunners book their place in Rome’s Champions League final on May 27.

Arsenal skipper Fabregas insists: “We know we can beat United. We showed that when we won the Premier League game at The Emirates back in November. They have some outstanding players but they all played that day and we ended up winning.

“We want to reach the final and to go one better than we did when we lost against Barcelona in the 2006 final.”

Admittedly, relations between the two clubs have thawed considerably since Pizzagate.

Fabregas – currently on an FA charge for allegedly spitting at one of Hull’s coaching staff after an FA Cup tie – said:

“The rivalry is normal because over the years both clubs have been trying to win the big trophies. I have no problem saying that Manchester United – even though I want to beat them – are one of the best clubs in the history of football.

“I also respect Sir Alex Ferguson a lot for what he has achieved.

“There have been some great battles over the years and the next dramatic. United are probably our biggest rivals.

They are also a team who love to play good football.”

The Spaniard does not try to hide his admiration for two of United’s biggest stars, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. “They are amazing. I really like them and admire them,” he said. “They have both been excellent players from a very young age. The way they have kept going at such a high standard is just amazing.

You can expect just about anything from them. They always make a difference in games.

“Look at Ronaldo against Porto. What a goal. No-one expected that sort of strike. It’s one of the best goals I have ever seen.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 Premier League games and the memory of their pulsating 4-4 draw at Anfield against Liverpool last Tuesday will live on for some time.

“I feel the Anfield experience will help us when we travel to Old Trafford to face United,” Fabregas said. “The crowd at Liverpool were very passionate. As soon as there was a throw-in or a corner they were going mad. That helps you prepare for what will be another intense night.” But the midfielder admits that the Gunners cannot afford another wobbly night at the back.

“From an attacking point of view things are going well,” he said. “But defensively we will have to improve a lot if we really want to be in the Champions League final.

“One of the problems is that we have had injuries so the defence has players who have come in are still experienced. Look at Mikael Silvestre. How many things has he won at Manchester United?

“Also Lukasz Fabianski responded well to the criticism of his FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Even so, we still ended up conceding four goals. We should not be doing that, even against a team like Liverpool.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has other fears too – he believes this could be his last chance to put a Champions League triumph on his CV. Wenger is convinced that higher taxes and the falling value of the pound could soon rob the Premier League of many of its foreign stars.

“We have to make the best of it while we can,” he warned. “The collapse of sterling will see the Premier League’s domination disappear. The Champions League is missing from my CV and I don’t want to miss it this time round.”

Wenger has been pushing Fabregas further forward – even asking him to support lone striker Nicklas Bendtner against Liverpool. Fabregas admitted: “I’m getting used to playing in a more attacking position. It’s all about learning because I have never played there before. At least I didn’t struggle in the last 20 minutes against Liverpool like I had in other games since coming back into the side.

“We have shown what we are capable of against Liverpool. We have got to continue that against Manchester United.”

If they do, the pizzas will be on Cesc Fabregas – and not Fergie