By The Mad Hatter
August 10 2004

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has joined the war of words ahead of the new Premiership season by claiming the Red Devils are better than Arsenal. The Welshman has also spoken about his own game, teenage sensation Cristiano Ronaldo and a certain game he is looking forward to Old Trafford.

Ryan Giggs believes Manchester United are ready to take back the Premiership title. Speaking in the national press, Giggs believes United are still the better team.

''As players we've been quite philosophical about it really. I don't mean watching Arsenal winning the title hurt, because it did. But the manager has been a bit of a calming influence. We could have had our best season even last year and not won the title - that's the way I looked at it. Arsenal were so consistent and so good.''

'' But that's not to say we cant win the title back. We can - definitely. Arsenal were better than us last season consistency wise, but not ability wise. Look at the sides games against each other. When we've got our top players and subs as well, and they have, Id fancy us every time.''

Giggs also spoke about his own game. ''I've tried to add it. I'm not as lightning quick as when I was 18 or 19 like any player, but I'm still relatively quick. You have to compensate but I was never Michael Owen or Thierry Henry quick. I've always felt my best ability is my balance, and that probably wont change.''

'' I went through a spell 5 or 6 years ago when I tried to change my game too much. I'd get the ball and try and cross it instead of running at the defender. I've worked hard to provide a better final ball as I've got older, and perhaps I lost what I was good at. But I think I've got that back now.''

Last season a teenage sensation arrived at Old Trafford; Cristiano Ronaldo. Giggs watched him undergo the growing up process he did; hype, criticism, comeback, albeit much faster. '' The hype then the criticism, it makes you stronger. You develop quicker. I think that's what has happened to Cristiano.''

So how does he compare to Giggs? ''Well he's got the advantage on me that he can play on both sides and cross with either foot. He's a tremendous talent, and he's similar to me in the way he likes to take players on. But the way we play is different. He beats players by his tricks, whereas I like to unbalance a player at pace.''

Towards the end of last season, United fans enjoyed a moment where young Ronaldo on the right took the ball past blue shirts surrounding him against Chelsea, and then the ball was crossed to the other side of the field where Giggs picked it up and did the same.

''I enjoy watching him. He looks like he's having fun. He looks like he enjoys taking the mick out of defenders. Yet the game that impressed me was against Everton. It wasn't his greatest skill-wise. But Everton were kicking him, but he kept getting up and saying ''Give me the ball.'' I don't think that's something people expected. They might have thought he cant take a kicking, but he's shown he can.''

''He's got plenty of bottle, confidence, and if he keeps on improving, within four or five years he'll be one of the best players in the world.''

Matches will be coming up against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, but Giggs also has another game to look forward to, played at Old Trafford. However, it will not involve United. Wales will take on England in a World Cup qualifier, on October 9th. ''I've just been going past Nev in training and saying, ''Get used to it!''