Foes no more! Arsene Wenger talks Fergie friendship (and delivers Van Gaal verdict)

ARSENE WENGER has revealed he now enjoys sharing a meal and talking football with old rival Sir Alex Ferguson.

Arsene WengerGETTY

Arsene Wenger has put his differences with Sir Alex Ferguson behind him

Wenger and Ferguson were fierce adversaries when Arsenal and Manchester United were regularly competing each other for silverware.

The emergence of Chelsea and Manchester City has taken some of the heat out of the rivalry, as has Ferguson's retirement two seasons ago.

And Wenger says he now enjoys the opportunity to pick the brains of his former opponent.

He told the BBC: "Look, I am happy to see him now, much more than before because we have gone through some difficult spells in our relationship.

"In the end it became more peaceful and respectful.

"Today we are happy to have a good dinner together, a good glass of wine and talk about football and raise above the differences we had before."

Arsenal face United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Monday night, with Louis van Gaal in the Red Devils dugout.

Louis van Gaal - The Facts

Today we are happy to have a good dinner together

Arsene Wenger

And Wenger says he is impressed with what the Dutch tactician has achieved at Old Trafford this season.

He added: "I think he's a great manager and if you look at what he's done in his life, it's absolutely outstanding.

"He's in a period when they are rebuilding their team and he has stabilised their team.

"They have lost only two out of the last 18 games.

"But I believe as well the environments of the teams, of the clubs, has changed.

"Everybody is always under severe scrutiny, questioning, the media environment is much more demanding, the social network is a lot more demanding and every game today is a trial where you are judged before and after."

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