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 April 27, 2002 | 1314 IST
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Wenger unmoved as Ferguson concedes title

Manchester United's Alex Ferguson conceded the premier league title to Arsenal on Friday, but the Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger remained unmoved.

Arsenal are five points clear of United and four ahead of rivals Liverpool with three games to go, but despite the fact that Arsene Wenger's side still have to visit Old Trafford, the United boss believes the leaders are in an unassailable position.

"Arsenal are in fantastic form. I can't see them losing it," he told GMR Radio on Friday. "They are in such a strong position. All the times you expect them to drop something, they've come up with the answer. You have to give credit for that because they look in an unassailable position now."

United play Ipswich Town on Saturday knowing defeat would almost certainly end their challenge.

Ferguson's comments appeared to contradict remarks he reportedly made earlier in the week.

"They (Arsenal) keep on saying they are gonna win this, they are gonna win that, but they haven't won anything yet. Sometimes you can be too confident," Ferguson was quoted as saying in the Sun newspaper on Friday.

"I think there is an air of that over-confidence at Highbury -- and that may well cost them. If that kind of thing happens, they may end up regretting all those things they have said. I think Arsenal will drop points, I really do."

But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remained unconcerned about any remarks Ferguson might have made.

"I respect Alex Ferguson but I ignore any comment," Wenger told reporters at Arsenal's training ground on Friday.

"Things are down to us and how we play. The belief and the determination are so high in the squad that we will keep going... we are really up for it.

"The commitment shown by my team in every game is a guarantee of achievement...the rest is just to be ignored." We are not stupid. We know it's all to do.

"The team's attitude is just spot on. These guys are battlers and winners, and they know how difficult it is to win and that's why they put the effort in."

Wenger made it clear he was not expecting any help this weekend from north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, who face Liverpool at midday on Saturday, or Ipswich.

"We don't expect any favours from anybody, we just expect ourselves to do the job," the Frenchman said. "The three teams have different jobs, and difficult jobs at that."

Arsenal's next match is on Monday, away to Bolton Wanderers.

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