Scholes: Arsenal flatter to deceive

Retired Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has questioned Arsenal's pedigree, insisting "they may play the prettiest football, but it doesn't always produce the results they need".

And Scholes appeared to take a dig at Arsene Wenger's failure to deliver the Gunners a trophy since 2005, claiming that his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't have allowed such a drought.

The former England star enjoyed his fair share of duels with Arsenal during a stellar 17-year career and saw United pipped to the title by the North Londoners in 1998, 2002 and 2004; but Ferguson's list of triumphs - including 12 league championships and two European Cups in the Premier League era - towers above Wenger's achievements.

Scholes does not believe the Gunners are about to get better any time soon, either, and predicted that United's traditional rivals may be forced to endure further tough times ahead.

"They just flatter to deceive,'' Scholes said. "They may play the prettiest football, but it doesn't always produce the results they need. It doesn't irritate me that people say they're the best footballing team because while they are doing that, we (United) are winning games.

"They do play the best football to watch at times, but what is the point of that if you are not winning anything? Not only that, they are potentially going to lose their best players in (Cesc) Fabregas, (Samir) Nasri and (Gael) Clichy.

"I don't think our manager would allow this club to go six years without a trophy.''