**Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United cannot afford further slip ups in the first ‘Big Four’ clash of the season against Arsenal on Saturday.**The Premier League champions went down to a shock 1-0 defeat at Burnley last week, while Arsenal are in excellent form with 10 goals in two matches.
Last season, United won only one of their six league matches against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
“We need to address that and do better,” Ferguson admitted.
"(Last season) We dropped six points to Liverpool, four to Arsenal and two to Chelsea. An opportunity comes along on Saturday.
"It has been a good start for Arsenal. We’ve got a game on our hands. We’ve lost one game already and can’t afford to lose another.
“We’ve got to get our form right and make sure it is consistent.”
United’s last league encounter against the Gunners was a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, a result which confirmed their 11th Premier League title.
“I couldn’t understand people writing Arsenal off. I think it was a media thing”
Sir Alex Ferguson
But despite losing Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City, Ferguson believes Arsene Wenger’s side will be a much tougher proposition this season.
“One thing Arsene has done well is he’s always sold a player at the right time,” said the Scot.
"He knows when it’s the right time for a player to leave and he has done it again with Adebayor and Toure.
“I don’t think the level of ability has changed one bit and he seems to have a good harmony in the squad.”
"Their 6-1 win at Everton was an amazing result. I’ve never known Everton concede that many goals at home. I can’t remember that happening before.
“I couldn’t understand people writing Arsenal off. A young team like Arsenal, that is maturing, has to be respected. I think it was a media thing. I can’t see it.”
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“It almost seems as if we, the champions, are unfancied on our own turf”
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United and Arsenal have a history of explosive matches, although the intensity has cooled since the departure of key personalities from both sides.
“It was the number one game,” said Ferguson. "Some of them were very, very feisty. But the characters of the teams have changed.
"There is no (Roy) Keane or (Patrick) Vieira, both volatile characters and dominant players.
“I think the personalities of the teams has changed. It will be no less competitive though, just a different type of game.”
Ferguson is without injured duo Edwin van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand, who has targeted United’s clash with Tottenham 12 September as return date from a thigh injury.