Alex Ferguson last night launched another attack on the Premiership leaders Arsenal, depicting them as arrogant and lacking grace.

In a direct reference to Arsene Wenger, who has repeatedly stated his belief that Arsenal will win the league, the Manchester United manager made it clear he has been incensed by what he perceives as "bragging".

"Over-confidence is a failure in people and there is no doubt about it; they are being over-confident," said Ferguson.

"When you are that full of yourself, as Arsenal are, it can come back to haunt you. It's a dangerous game and they might just learn that you can end up looking sheepish when you make statements like that.

"A lot of people think they are being over-confident. When it's only a five-point lead, which it could be after tomorrow, you never know what might happen. They have to drop only one or two points to allow us back in.

"You wouldn't get us acting like that. When you compare the two clubs it doesn't matter how many trophies we have won, we have never gone into that bragging game.

"It's not our style and the nature of football is that you can end up getting a kick in the teeth."

Ferguson, notorious for his so-called "mind games", has made a habit of criticising Arsenal at this stage of the season.

In March last year he castigated the club's disciplinary record, saying players such as Patrick Vieira who were guilty of elbowing opponents "do not deserve a place in the game" and accusing the FA of giving them preferential treatment.

This year, his remarks came on the eve of United's match at home to Leeds. Victory at Old Trafford tonight would reduce Arsenal's lead to five points.

Outbursts such as yesterday's, therefore, have become something of an annual event that Wenger usually tries to laugh off.

The Arsenal manager might regard the criticism as proof that Ferguson is rattled.

And it's unlikely Wenger will be troubled by the revelation Ferguson has been irritated by his assertion that Arsenal have an unfair disadvantage because of the number of London derbies.

"Arsenal always complain about the London derbies, but I can't work that one out. They've lost only one in three years, haven't they? And we've dropped 18 points to our local rivals this season."

Arsenal have lost twice to Charlton in the last three seasons. However, there is some validity in Ferguson's argument that recent history suggests the title might not be a fait accompli.

"We've all seen leads disappear. It's happened countless times. We've suffered it ourselves and we've taken advantage of it ourselves," he said.

"We came from 12 points behind Newcastle to win the league (1996-1997), we had a 14-point lead over Arsenal the following year and lost it and we were 15 points ahead of Blackburn (1993-1994) and they still nearly caught us. Once you start dropping points it can go very quickly.

"We are certainly capable of winning our remaining nine games. We've got Liverpool at home to come, and Newcastle away, but if we get the sort of run where it means we are going to Highbury having to win that will be fine with me.

"If we win there, we win the championship - that's my hope. April 16th is the day to decide things."

If that is the case, Ferguson's players will have to show no damaging side-effects from Sunday's League Cup final defeat.

"A lot of people can use adversity well, including ourselves. I expect a good response against Leeds," Ferguson added.