Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has reiterated his criticism of their Premier League counterparts Arsenal, suggesting his pre-match comments prior to Monday night’s encounter at Old Trafford were proved correct.

The France international had mocked Arsene Wenger’s side on the eve of their table-topping clash, suggesting their football was little more than style over substance given their hiatus without a trophy.

Although Evra suggests his comments were somewhat misconstrued, he believes Arsenal’s performance went very much to type. The 29-year-old is aware he is likely to get more abuse for speaking his mind yet again, but the left-back believes the evidence of his Arsenal critique speaks for itself.

Evra told The Sun: "I think we confirmed what I'd said before the match.

"I think Arsenal played really well, you shouldn't neglect that, but we were better.

"I really say that without any arrogance.

"I heard people saying that what I said was below the belt, but that wasn't my intention. I just wanted to show how much I believe in my team, in their potential and strength.

"We know Arsenal and we know that if you don't let them breathe, which is what the coach said before the match, then it becomes hard for them, especially at Old Trafford.

"United always show up for the big games.

"Arsenal enjoyed a lot of possession but only had one chance.

"I think our victory was really deserved, it didn't boil down to small details. But people will have a go at me again for saying what I think."

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby could return to the team for Saturday's clash with Stoke, according to The Sun.

The French midfielder is reported to have returned to full training on Wednesday and could feature at the Emirates as the Gunners look to get back to winning ways following their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Diaby has been out for two months with an ankle injury and has not featured since the 2-1 win over Birmingham in October

In other news Roma are reportedly keen on defender Emmanuel Eboue and will bid £5 million in Januray, according to reports in Italy.

Eboue is out of contract at the end of the season and the Italian giants believe Arsenal will beto cash in according to the Daily Mail and the Sun.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger has rubbished reports linking goalkeeper Manuel Almunia with a move away from the club in January, according to the Mirror.

Rumours have been circulating about the Spanish goalkeeper’s desire to return to his native country since he lost his place in the first-team through injury.

But Wenger rubbished these rumours.

“I heard it is his agent who talks about that but at the moment he has no agent," Wenger told the club's official website.

“So I cannot see what kind of agent can talk on his behalf. We never talked about him leaving, never.

According to the Daily Star,  Almunia believes his problems at Arsenal started when he tried to play through the pain barrier after injuring his elbow against in the first half of the 3-2 defeat to West Brom in September.

He said: “I should have stayed in the dressing room.

“But I wanted to continue. I took some painkillers and because I was warm I didn’t feel anything.”

In other transfer news Real Madrid are preparing to offer Karim Benzema in a swap deal with Gael Clichy, according to the Mirror.

Arsenal have shown some interest in the French forward and Jose Mourihno is keen to boost his options at left-back and will turn to Clichy after being refuted in his attempts to lure Tottenham’s Gareth Bale to Spain.

The north London club face a battle with another Spanish club to secure the services of Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, according to the Mirror.

Arsene Wenger has been watching the 20-year-old versatile defender in a bid to boost his backline but faces competition from Barcelona for his signature.

The defender is currently in contract talks with his club but reports suggest he wants the French team to show more ambition.

Both Arsenal and Barca have been carefully monitoring contract talks in the French capital and watching the player at every opportunity.

However, the Catalan press reveals that impressed Barcelona scouts have also been firing favourable reports back to the Camp Nou about Sakho.

Also according to the Mirror, Ryan Shawcross will have extra security when he steps on to the Emirates pitch on Saturday for the first time since making the tackle which broke Aaron Ramsey’s leg.

The Stoke defender’s takle broke the Welsh midfielder’s leg in two places last February during the Londoners’ 3-1 victory.

And he will be surrounded by extra security when he takes to the pitch this time to ensure his safety.

Stoke have decided to beef up their security after learning feelings are still running high among Arsenal fans over the stomach-churning tackle.

The simmering feud between Samir Nasri and William Gallas looks set to continue, with the Arsenal man accusing his former team-mate of bitching about him.

Nasri, who was voted French Player of the Year on Wednesday, revealed that the pair did not speak to each other apart from in a professional capacity for a year after Gallas criticised the midfielder in his book.

The pair came face to face earlier in the season when Gallas' Tottenham met Arsenal and Nasri refused to shake hands with his fellow Frenchman.

Nasri has defended his actions and does not expect the relationship to improve after claiming he heard Gallas bad-mouth him.

"I never said 'hello' to Gallas for a year in my own dressing room," Nasri is quoted as saying in The Sun. "Why should I have to shake his hand on TV just because he has gone to Spurs?

"That is not me. I am not a two-faced so-and-so. When I don't like someone I tell them to their face and I don't shake their hand. We don't like one another, the entire world knows this, and he even wrote about it in his book.

"After the Spurs game I heard him saying it was 'my loss' that I hadn't shaken hands with him. My loss? What the hell is all that about? He has forgotten how he bitched about me."