There’s a lot to talk about, so I’ll cut to the quick.

Alex Ferguson’s complaint about feeling intimidated by the home fans. Hallelujah if that is the case. Ashburton Grove is thus becoming a lot more like a home stadium should feel for visiting teams. There is no roof protecting the dugouts from the verbal views of the paying public, so any abuse shouted at Ferguson from the immediate vicinity was heard by its intended target. Great. Perhaps the Manchester United manager might now know how the team of officials feel to be on the receiving end of his customary abuse/intimidation. There was one particular section of the first half when it seemed to work and old red-nose, rather than Howard Webb, was running the game. Simple truth of the matter is this. Old Trafford is intimidating. Wenger gets called everything under the sun there. Often by the majority of the 70,000 odd crowd joining in a well-aired chant informing Le Boss to sit down which I refuse to dignify by spelling out. So when Manchester United visit Arsenal, frankly, I would be disappointed if Ferguson felt comfortable. I’d often wondered about the lack of roofs on the technical area. Now I realise it’s partly so that the crowd can play their twelfth man role. If Ferguson was rattled, well done to all those who gave him both barrels in the west lower, provided it was purely vocal. There are doubtless enough stewards to prevent anyone scaling the barriers between paying public and the opposition bench, although doubtless there will be more next time United visit after Ferguson’s complaint.

Arsenal’s comeback. Great spirit and fitness demonstrated by the young team. They refused to let their heads drop despite the timing of both goals conceded. We’ve seen them score in the latter stages of so many matches this campaign that I don’t need to detail this strength again.

The central defence. Having seen the United goals on the television subsequently, I don’t think either centre back can be faulted for either. If Alan Hansen reckons they make a quality pair – and can cope with the aerial threat, I’d be inclined to accept that as I am fairly confident he watches that sort of stuff a lot closer than I do. I’ve never been completely convinced by the argument Toure and Gallas can’t play together. I think Arsenal’s defensive deficiencies tend to be on the flanks and (positionally) in central midfield when Gilberto doesn’t play. Which brings us to…

Defensive weaknesses. There’s a trade-in for the possession football that Arsenal play these days. Full backs are better on the ball than found in most teams, but defensively at times they are not the Full Monty. For United’s first, Hleb was brushed aside and when the ball found its way to Ronaldo, a top drawer full-back would have got something in the way to prevent the cross. Clichy didn’t get close enough to challenge and the ball found its way past him and by turn Almunia through the deflection off Gallas, caused by Rooney’s presence. If the finish had an element of bad luck for the Gunners, the ball should not have even been there. It was not the first such chance created from the flanks. There were also a lack of physical challenges in the midfield, especially in the air. Gilberto would have made a difference there. United have the edge in this aspect. That’s partly down to experience. The visitors were a lot cuter with stuff like shirt pulling, blocking and when required, obvious fouls. They did what was required to stop Arsenal turning superior possession into superior chances. Rio Ferdinand was being given a torrid time by Adebayor, but managed to get away with enough tricks to prevent this turning into danger. Still, Arsenal were good enough to score twice to ensure they remained unbeaten.

Almunia. Is there some magnetic force pulling this man to the touchline when he is keeping goal against United? The second goal conceded was down to the clown. Lehmann is error prone but makes some great saves. Almunia is error prone but makes some great saves. Can the title be won without a top drawer consistent keeper that his defence can believe in? Doesn’t happen often. What Saturday proved is that Almunia is not the long-term solution. Horrible memories of the clanger in the 4-2 defeat to United at Highbury came flooding back. If Lehmann hadn’t queered his patch so much through his press interviews he’d probably be back in goal against Slavia Prague.

Where do the Gunners go from here? Arsenal really can’t change much about the way they do things. Wenger could play Gilberto for specific games instead of Flamini. He could actually have a proper look at Diarra in the centre as the Newcastle Carling Cup game suggested we have a potential gem there. And there is the January transfer market if Van Persie can’t sort his injury out or Wenger wants to bite the bullet and bring in a new keeper early. Johann Djourou had a very patch game for Birmingham at the weekend and let’s face it, Senderos is probably ahead of him in the pecking order. Can Arsenal get through the African Cup of Nations without needing to buy to compensate for Toure’s absence? As in turns out, the toughest games whilst he will be away are Manchester City away and Blackburn at home. Wenger might get away with it.

Arsenal have to keep winning the matches they would be expected to and try and ensure Chelsea don’t beat them at home in December. The draw against United, whilst far from perfect, would I suspect have been accepted by both sets of fans before the kick-off. Neither should lose momentum as a result and remaining unbeaten is very, very important for Arsenal’s young team.

Ferguson is correct to suggest there are going to be tough spells ahead, but possibly not so in assuming they will probably be the undoing of Arsenal. The game has shown there is room for improvement, but ultimately, the result was a fair one and a creditable one for Arsenal given the run of form United have hit and their greater experience. It should be a more open encounter at Old Trafford as United will be more expansive creating more room for Arsenal to play their preferred game. The defence will have to do better though.

Chelsea seem to be the other big threat now. Liverpool, despite remaining unbeaten, are over-reliant on Torres for their goals, hence the large number of draws. Winning is everything nowadays, hence the gap between Arsenal and Benitez’ team despite neither having lost.

So it’s a three-horse race for this observer. A neutral would probably pick United as the more likely title winners out of the two teams at Ashburton on Saturday. And the bookies agree. Arsenal though are top, with a game in hand. It’s a long way to go before any silverware is handed out, but this side has room for improvement. The same cannot be said of United, who are playing pretty much as well as they are capable of. Whether or not Arsenal will gain enough necessary improvement in time is the question. The big games at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge once 2008 arrives will give us those answers. But if Arsenal do not improve, they will not win the title. The football is sumptuous, but work is needed when the team are not in possession. Let’s hope it’s done, and soon.