Arsenal: Fergie's talking rubbish

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood today dismissed as "rubbish" suggestions that his club had pressured the Football Association into playing Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn in Cardiff.

The choice of the Millennium Stadium was criticised by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - whose team play Newcastle on Sunday - who claimed that both matches were in Cardiff because the FA bowed to Arsenal's pressure, creating travel problems and expense for fans from the north.

But Hill-Wood today refuted Sir Alex's claim, saying: "That is absolute rubbish. As far as I know, the decision about the venues was made by the Football Association in September.

It seems to have been an ill-informed remark that started this debate. In no way has the subject of semi-final venues been discussed by the board at Arsenal.

"To be honest, I would rather go to Villa Park to play the game and I think most of our fans would as well. The decision was taken by the FA without any influence from Arsenal."

The argument is the latest in a series of disputes between Arsenal and United this season, which started with the infamous "pizzagate" incident at Old Trafford in October.