USUALLY the "Match of the Season" is nothing like it, but not this time writes Mick Jones

The Battle of Highbury had it all. Fantastic goals, dodgy decisions and the obligatory outbreak of raised elbows from an Arsenal player. The irony of Alan Shearer being the player who defended Sol Campbell's actions was too sweet. Here's a man who knows how much you can do when you really put your arm ... I mean, heart, into it.

Statistics over the last few years say the form team will win the league. Unfortunately for Arsene Wenger, the form team this year comes from Manchester. Will they do it? Possibly. It is too early to tell as there are plenty of twists left in the tale.

You only had to luck at the individual reactions of the respective managers afterwards to see who thought the result suited them best. For once, it was the cool Frenchman who looked anything but. He made noises before the game about a point being good, yet he threw on striker after striker as time ticked away, not the actions of a man happy with a draw.

Arsenal look like a team who are worried the train may leave without them.

The potential loss of Campbell for four matches is a blow but not as bad for them as the news that Patrick Vieira's season may be over.

Forget Henry: these two are the most important players at Highbury. The difference in the side when they are gone is massive.

No Henry? Not too bad as they've still got Dennis Bergkamp, Sylvain Wiltord and Franny Jeffers.

They talk about him as the best striker in Europe but do me a favour. You can debate about him and Ruud van Nistelrooy but better than Hernan Crespo? Raul? Ronaldo? I wouldn't say so.

Vieira is the heartbeat of the side - irreplaceable. As for replacing Sol, they have got Pascal Cygan and if there is one player you can point to as a cause of the recent decline of Arsenal, it is him.

There are carriers in the Gulf that turn quicker and if you are looking for someone to read the game, forget it - he is illiterate.

It seems a bit rich for Arsene to complain about the red card after his team had managed to get a deflected goal and then one of the worst offside decisions you are ever likely to see.

One thing is for sure, Manchester United are making him sweat for this one.

If they do win it, you can bet he does not shout his mouth off so soon next time.

Arsene says

it's not over

-- it could be

without Pat