Even with the gifted Frenchman, who has now moved to Barcelona, in their side Arsenal still finished a huge 21 points behind English champions United last term although still in fourth place.

Henry's Highbury exit has sparked predictions the north London club could fall further behind after the new season gets underway next month.

But Arsenal have never finished outside the top four since Arsene Wenger's appointment as manager in 1996 and Ferguson doesn't expect his French rival to lose that record any time soon.

"They'll be in the top four," Ferguson told Sky Sports on Friday. "I'm more convinced they will be in the top four without Thierry Henry. I just thought it was time for him to go," the Scot added.

"Arsene Wenger knew that, and I think they'll do better."

Wenger hopes to field a side full of first-team players for this weekend's frienlt against fellow north London club Barnet.

"It could be a very strong team at Barnet," Wenger told www.Arsenal.com.

"Basically the players that are back in training are available, so you could see Kolo Toure, Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, Mathieu Flamini, Denilson, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor.

"They are all likely to be included so it should be a very familiar side

Wenger has just completed the signing of France Under-21 defender Bacary Sagna from French club Auxerre, his fourth pre-season capture.

"We've been very impressed by him," said club scout Gilles Grimandi, the former Arsenal player.

"We've watched him both playing for Auxerre and the under-21 team and scouted him over more than 40 games."