Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was touched by comments from former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson this week.

Ferguson paid a glowing tribute to the Frenchman ahead of Wenger's 1,000th game in charge, praising his "abundant energy and desire" and the style of Arsenal's play.

"Yes of course [that means a lot] because he knows how difficult it is," responded Wenger.

"We are in a job where you have to win. But the truth is that the ambition of every great club must be to win and to win with style, and to think of the people who pay a lot of money to come to watch the matches.

"You always have to have it in your mind that you want people to wake up in the morning with a love of going to the stadium and for them to go home having enjoyed themselves.

"In fact, the real goal of professional football entails not just winning but also enabling people to discover the pleasure of watching something beautiful."