If the match between Sunderland and Arsenal grows controversial at the Stadium of Light this afternoon, it might pay to keep an eye on the dugouts. Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, and Roy Keane, his Sunderland counterpart, have history from Keane’s playing days with Manchester United.

Most infamous of all was the “tunnel bust-up” before Arsenal took on United at Highbury in February 2005. Keane and Patrick Vieira, the captains, had to be separated by Graham Poll, the referee, as they angrily exchanged words while the players prepared to take to the pitch.

“It was just the battle, the tensions between the two teams, the two managers, the two clubs,” Keane said. “It was brilliant. Someone had a go at Gary Neville coming in from the warm-up and I thought it was out of order. I had to defend my team-mate.

“You don’t go around threatening people in the tunnel. You defend yourself, particularly away from home. The players did not particularly like each other and both teams were close, fighting for titles.”

Although prone to occasional outbursts, Keane appears to have mellowed as a manager. He can afford to sit back and judge Wenger from a more objective standpoint. “I don’t know what Wenger thought of me \,” Keane said. “But I take my hat off to managers who have been around a long time. I have done the job for only two minutes.”

Despite differences in the past, Wenger respects Keane’s progress since he swapped his playing kit for suit, collar and tie. “He has the intensity of motivation, the desire to do well,” Wenger said. “Some players are more suited to becoming managers, like midfielders and defenders. Strikers are more creative spirits. Time will tell if he becomes a better manager than player, but he’s done a remarkable job at Sunderland.”

Jokingly, Wenger did not rule out an altercation with Keane today. “You wouldn’t want to have a touchline spat, but you never know what the game brings up,” Wenger said. “Roy was so intense as a player that sometimes the tackles were flying between Vieira and him. Most of the time it was him.”

Just in case today . . . light the touchpaper and stand back.