Inside Soccer: Arsenal and Man U take title race down to the wire

Whose title is it anyway? Those Premier League fans hoping for an answer would have surely been disappointed after Wednesday's 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Manchester United.

A United win would have stretched its lead to six points atop the standings, and, even with one more game played, probably wrapped up proceedings. A win by the Gunners, on the other hand -- with the game in hand and better goal difference -- would have meant that only a collapse would prevent Arsene Wenger's team from repeating as champs.

But it's safe to say a majority of fans watched with delight as the teams battled equally for 90 minutes, ensuring the tightest finish in Premier League history.

"I think it's just unavoidable. It just looks that way, doesn't it," said United manager Alex Ferguson, when asked if the race would continue until the season's final day. "I think it's great for spectators and neutrals. It's not so good for the two clubs, mind you, but everyone else is loving it."

Ferguson made the comments after United's impressive win over a stubborn Blackburn Rovers squad Saturday, and he might be the one, not Wenger, doing more smiling come May 11.

On paper, United has two tough matches left: away to Tottenham Hotspur and away to Everton. But after they outscored three of the league's top teams (Liverpool, Newcastle United and Blackburn) 13-3 in the matches surrounding the Arsenal game, there's no reason Fergie's boys should drop points.

The Gunners, meanwhile, face a stubborn Southampton team -- which beat Arsenal before Christmas -- at home, a suddenly resurgent Bolton Wanderers, and an unpredictable Leeds team still not clear of the relegation zone.

Add to the equation that Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira could miss the rest of the season with a leg injury and pivotal defender Sol Campbell's four-match suspension (for receiving a red card after elbowing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Wednesday), and it appears the Gunners are more vulnerable.

A WARNING SIGN: He's been compared to Paul Gascoigne because of his size and vision, so how surprising is it that Everton teen sensation Wayne Rooney is facing a police investigation after allegedly spitting toward the fans of city rival Liverpool on Saturday? (Gascoigne, of course, was the midfield maestro whose career never really lived up to its potential because of one personal problem after another.)

Police have confirmed they have enough witnesses to go forward with an inquiry, though an Everton spokesman was saying nothing.

"We will speak to the police and will not comment again until we have done so," said Ian Ross.

There must be something in the Liverpool water: About a month ago, Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf spat at Glasgow Celtic fans in a UEFA Cup game.

West Ham United captain Joe Cole and teammate Rufus Brevitt also face police investigations for their part in a brouhaha that ensued after the Hammers' crucial 1-0 loss to Bolton on Saturday.

Despite winning yesterday, West Ham -- and not Bolton -- will likely be relegated at the end of the season.

THE BECKHAM UPDATE: Note to David Beckham: Avoid poker.

Beckham, the highly gifted United midfielder, didn't exactly deny an ongoing rumor he's on his way to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

"As I've said, never say never," Beckham told the Daily Mirror, a British tabloid, when asked about switching teams.

United has consistently claimed it hasn't been approached by Madrid and says Beckham is staying put. Really?

"You always want to play with the best team and best players. United have a great team and players, and Real have a massive history and world-class stars," the darling of English football continued.

Suffering from a hamstring injury, Beckham was a non-factor when his team embarrassingly lost 3-1 to Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal in Spain two weeks ago.

BECKHAM SWIPE? Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has taken a swipe -- we think -- at Beckham's well-processed image.

Beckham has numerous endorsement deals, as many hairdos as female fans, and sports a tattoo.

"Imagine them asking me to take off my shirt to make sure everyone sees my abdominal muscles, to give young girls a shock, that I appear like a sex symbol. I am not in that context, part of that world. Neither is Zinedine Zidane or Ronaldo," Desailly, referring to the pair of world players of the year who play for Madrid, was quoted as saying last week.

At least Beckham backs it up, though, Desailly added.

"He gets a tattoo when it is the right time, he wears shoes with his name stitched into them. But unlike Anna Kournikova, he does the business on the pitch," he said.

FULHAM FOLLY: It had to happen.

Fulham sacked manager Jean Tigana last week, capping a dismal season.

The London club recently announced it wouldn't be offering the Frenchman an extension once his contract expired in June, but decided to let him stay until the end of the season.

"Although Jean and his team were firmly committed to keeping the club at the highest level, it became clear the announcement of his departure had caused a feeling of unrest within the squad," a club statement said.

Former defender Chris Coleman -- part of Tigana's staff -- was named caretaker manager. Coleman won his first game in charge Saturday, as the Cottagers came from behind to beat suddenly slumping Newcastle 2-1.

The win should be enough for Fulham to avoid relegation.

"It has been a difficult season for us over recent months, and the season has not ended the way I would have liked," said chairman Mohamed Fayed.

CATALAN COMEDY: How bad have things gone at Barcelona this season? Bad enough that international stars Luis Enrique and Marc Overmars had to be separated by teammates after a bust-up in training last week.

The Spanish press reported Overmars offered two harsh challenges toward Enrique before the Barca captain retaliated by pushing and berating the Dutch winger.

Despite reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League, Barcelona -- which tied fierce rival Madrid 1-1 over the weekend -- is closer to the bottom of the table than a league title.

MARADONA MAYBE: Naples City Council is set to ask the Italian government for permission to rename Napoli's stadium after Diego Maradona.

Maradona, arguably the best footballer of all time, led Napoli to Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, though the club now finds itself in Serie B, a lower division.

Getting the OK for the name change won't be easy. The Italian government has a law that says public buildings have to be named after people who have been dead at least 10 years.

With his well-documented drug problems, Maradona might not be well, but he is still very much alive.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Danny Murphy. The Liverpool midfielder scored a brilliant goal in the Reds' 2-1 win over the Toffees on Saturday.

MATCH OF THE WEEK: Man United versus Real Madrid. With United in stunning form and Madrid floundering since beating the Red Devils, tomorrow's second leg at Old Trafford should be competitive -- at the very least.

Reach London journalist Ravi Ubha at raviubha@hotmail.com