"Arsenal's big advantage is that they can play Pat Rice at right-back and Arsene himself at centre-forward on Saturday, " quipped Ferguson.

BBC: Ferguson fires warning to Arsenal

Elsewhere on the New years honours list, the former Northern Ireland and Arsenal defender, Pat Rice, has been appointed an MBE.

BBC: Seventy-one are named in NI New Year Honours list

Arsenal say Wenger thought he could pass messages to assistant Pat Rice via a coach, but he was told at half-time this was not allowed.

BBC: Wenger charged over Udinese game