SOCCER/English FA premiership: Not even Alex Ferguson seemed to be indulging in mind games when he praised Arsenal and Arsene Wenger yesterday. Far from trying to soften up his greatest rivals for next season, Manchester United's manager sounded genuinely magnanimous to the double winners.

Ferguson described Arsenal as "worthy champions without question", noting that Wednesday's 1-0 win at Old Trafford gave Wenger's team a 12th Premiership victory in a row and ensured they would end the season unbeaten away.

"Let me offer my sincere congratulations to Arsenal," he said. "The rivalry between the clubs is well established and it's as fierce as represented in the media. My rivalry at management level with Arsene Wenger is equally intense, even if it is hyped up at times.

"The truth is I have every respect for Arsene and we get along fine. I think he has done a brilliant job at Highbury and for a long time I have always seen his teams as the main threat to our domestic ambitions."

The Scot made it clear he did not "begrudge" Arsenal their share of honours because they "play the game the right way".

Arsenal's vice-chairman David Dein called Wenger "a miracle-worker" but the bookies were less impressed: William Hill and Ladbrokes have installed Arsenal as second favourites behind United for the 2003 title.

That came as Patrick Vieira again pledged his future to Arsenal in ambiguous fashion. "I have two years left on my contract," he said. "Of course I will be here next season." He knows, though, that unless he signs an extension he will be sold, and reports continue to link him with Real Madrid.

Arsenal will parade their trophies through the streets of Islington on Sunday morning and have announced that Tony Adams's testimonial against Celtic at Highbury on Monday is sold out.

Manchester United's quest to regain their Premiership title next year may feature Laurent Blanc, who is reconsidering his decision to retire at the end of the season. "I have been given some time to think things over, so that's what I will do," the 36-year-old defender said.

"I am considering playing on for another year. That is the very least I can do for Alex. He brought me to United and he is asking me to carry on playing. I will give him my answer once the season has finished."

Wenger, meanwhile, has said his side must use their domestic success as the springboard to winning the Champions League. They are not the richest club in Europe but then Bayer Leverkusen have proved what can be achieved through a combination of graft and craft.

And it has not escaped Wenger's attention that the German club, whom Arsenal defeated 4-1 at Highbury and only held them 1-1 away through a late equaliser, are in next week's Champions League final.

"Of course, we want to win the Champions League as well," said Wenger. "We were very close this season as we beat Leverkusen in a comfortable way. However, I believe that it's more and more difficult to win the Champions League, the championship and the domestic cup because of the congestion of the fixtures."

Wenger is therefore aiming to bolster his squad this summer to ensure that he can look to dominate on both fronts.

He added: "We want to improve. We have shown tremendous resilience and tremendous team spirit. We want to keep these qualities and to keep the players together. Maybe adding one or two as maybe we will lose one or two, but we want to keep the basis of our team."

Arsenal have been linked with PSV Eindhoven's Mark van Bommel despite Wenger's insistence that he has no plans to sign a midfielder. However, his hand will be forced if Vieira departs. With Adams expected to retire and Lee Dixon nearing the end of his career, new defensive recruits are also needed and he could well rival United for the signature of PSV's Kevin Hofland.

With Kanu expected to depart along with Gilles Grimandi this summer, while doubts persist over Francis Jeffers' fitness, a new striker may also be on the cards.

Highbury's highs: Arsenal set the record straight

Arsenal not only won the double on Wednesday night for the third time, after similar successes in 1971 and 1998, but they also ensured that a whole host of new records were set.

They became the first top-flight side since Preston North End in 1888-89 not to lose an away game all season.

Preston played only 11 away league games, while Arsenal have completed 19 away matches unbeaten.

This is in direct contrast to the Gunners' recent away form in the Champions League, where they have lost eight of their last 10 matches.

Arsenal set a new club record of 12 consecutive League victories in beating Manchester United, equalling the Premiership record set by the deposed champions in 2000.

In domestic football, they are unbeaten since December 18th, when they lost at home to Newcastle. That run now stretches to 28 matches and encompasses just four draws.

The win at Bolton created a new Arsenal record of seven consecutive league away wins - which was extended to eight on Wednesday.

Sylvain Wiltord's goal at Old Trafford extended Arsenal's run of scoring in successive league games to 37. The all-time record is 46, set by Chesterfield in the old third division (North) over two seasons between 1929-31.

At Bolton, Arsenal set a Premiership record of scoring first in 26 games this season, which became 27 against Manchester United.

They have lost just three league games all season, at home to Leeds, Charlton and Newcastle.

This was only the third time that an Arsenal side have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the 15 clashes there since Alex Ferguson took charge. On the other two occasions, in 1990-91 and 1997-98, the Gunners also went on to win the title.