Alex Ferguson has fired the first shots in the annual mind-games with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, by accusing the Gunners of roughhouse tactics.

The Manchester United manager called Arsenal "belligerent" and said several of the Highbury stars "liked a scrap".

Ferguson, whose team were pipped to the Premiership title by Double-winners Arsenal last season, said: "I'll tell you what they do - and I've spoken to other managers about this, and they all agree. When Arsenal are not in a game, they turn it into a battle to try to make the opposition lose concentration. They do that all the time.

"The number of fights involving Arsenal is more than Wimbledon had in their heyday."

Ferguson told an English newspaper that French midfield duo Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit and defenders Martin Keown, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn all "liked a scrap".

He added: "I believe there's no ground where players are sent off more regularly than they are at Highbury."

Wenger and Ferguson have had psychological battles in both the last two seasons. Two seasons ago, the pair clashed when Wenger came out against Ferguson's call for United's fixture congestion to be sorted out.

Last season, Wenger won the mind-games with his constant insistence that Arsenal were out of the title race, until the Gunners finally overhauled United.

Arsenal have had 18 players sent off since Wenger took over - one red card was later rescinded - and five dismissed this season. United have had two players sent off this term - including Nicky Butt at Highbury - but have had one more booking, 38, than Arsenal.