Ade: Arsenal as strong as Utd

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has reacted to comments that Sir Alex Ferguson feels this is the best Man Utd squad he has coached, by claiming that his Arsenal side can match Man Utd this season.

The 23-year-old Togo international, who scored the 1000th goal for Arsenal in the Premiership in the 3-1 at Reading on Monday night, said in the Manchester Evening News: "The most important thing was to do a good job and win the game - but to be back at the top is great as well.

"It is very important going into the international break. It gives us a lot of confidence.

"We wanted to stay ahead of Manchester (United) and show them we are strong - and we have done that.

"Of course, it is a long title race - and it's where you are at the end of the season that matters. But we are very happy with how things are going."