There was a time, back in 2004, when Arsene Wenger claimed he would ‘never again speak about this man’.
He was referencing Sir Alex Ferguson and responding to claims from the Manchester United manager that he came at him wild-eyed during the infamous Battle of the Buffet at Old Trafford.
This week there will be no shortage of platitudes from the Arsenal manager as he prepares for the visit of United at the Emirates on Sunday.
Champions of England: The Manchester United squad celebrates after clinching their 13th Premier League title
It has to be that way in the modern game, when the eyes of the world will settle on north London to watch the champions take on Arsenal.
There was a time when they were at each other’s throats, but those electrifying briefings at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground are a thing of the past.
It was back in 2002 when Ferguson criticised Wenger’s title-winning team and Arsenal’s manager responded by saying: ‘Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife at home’.
More than a decade later, United are the team with enduring qualities.
Arsenal have been left behind in the title race, blown away by a team on the way to winning the Premier League for the 13th time.
On Sunday they will even form a ceremonial guard of honour for the champions when they march out at the Emirates. It will hurt like hell for Wenger to agree to it.
Good old Arsenal: Alan Smith scores against Manchester United in 1991 after winning the title as Steve Bruce watches on
Time to celebrate: Arsenal celebrate winning the League Championship in 1991
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There has been on official word from Arsenal but the occasion demands that they applaud United on to the pitch just before kick-off.
It is the right thing to do.
Just over 20 years ago, when Arsenal won the league title in 1991 under George Graham, they were congratulated by United’s players ahead of their First Division fixture at Highbury.
Steve Bruce, Paul Ince, Brian McClair and Mark Hughes were among them, forming a guard of honour in their blue shirts as the champions emerged from that tight tunnel at Highbury.
Arsenal were worthy champions, unbeaten at home and finishing seven points ahead of their nearest challengers Liverpool; United finished sixth, 24 points behind the champions.
It was a nice touch by Ferguson back then and Arsenal must reciprocate, as is the tradition in the top flight, this weekend.
Even Arsenal’s manager, this sorest of sore losers will have to accept it after the fixture list threw them together this weekend.
Perhaps it will inspire some of Arsenal’s players to recapture the glory days and compete for the title with United, Manchester City and Chelsea next season.
Gone are the days when Arsenal could field a team full of Premier League title winners.
At Craven Cottage last Saturday, when they beat Fulham 1-0, they didn’t have a single player on the pitch with a championship in this country.
Tomas Rosicky (three titles with Sparta Prague and the Bundesliga with Dortmund), Mikel Arteta (SPL with Rangers in 2003) and Olivier Giroud (Ligue 1 with Montpellier in 2012) were the only players starting for Arsenal who know what it takes to cross the finishing line.
Round of applause: Arsene Wenger should give Manchester United a guard of honour ahead of Sunday's match
The Emirates will be encouraged to salute Ferguson and his team, rising as one to acknowledge them as they celebrate the club’s 20th top flight title.
Undoubtedly it will be agony for Wenger to watch on, but that’s what happens when the Arsenal’s 2012 player of the season is allowed to join United for £24m.
On Monday evening at Old Trafford, as Ferguson talked about the telephone conversation with Wenger last summer, he revealed some of the intimate elements.
No glory: Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Olivier Giroud are the only players with any title winning experience
Making the difference: Robin van Persie scored 24 goals in Manchester United's title winning side
Wenger, he said, had told Ferguson that Van Persie was even better than he realised when they agreed the deal that took the Dutchman to Old Trafford.
He went there to win trophies and he has finally landed a big one after nine years in English football.
‘He’s been unbelievable all season,’ was Ferguson’s assessment of the impact Van Persie has made at Old Trafford in the minutes after sealing the title.
No-one could argue with that. Not even Wenger.