The last ever European game at Highbury is quickly followed by the last ever North London derby. I believed it was important to get the Win against Villarreal on Wednesday evening, and while it is not over Kolo Toures 41st Minute winner has given us the upper hand. I think a bad result would have been carried over into this game, and though I still think the players will have an eye on the return leg on Tuesday, they will at least be very confident going into this Saturday’s showdown. Its going to be a tense affair watching this, I think the Spuds will be happy with a draw, though I don't think they will play for it, I think the first goal will determine the outcome of this game, by that I mean if Arsenal score first we will win, If the shower of shite score first... we will win!. Anyways I will be no doubt sitting with Gooner Mike and Bald Brendan Cygan to cheer on the boys at the ungodly start time of 7.45 am. I am even going to curtail Friday night activities on the refreshment in order to be bright eyed and busy tailed for kick off time. The defense had yet another clean sheet in Europe on Wednesday and Kolo was talking about what working with Martin Keown has done for him and the others.

Martin Keown is at the training ground every day and we will talk about how the first leg went. He will tell me what I did well - and what I didn't do well!

I think all gooners can see the difference to the defense since Keown started to help, and he deserves allot of credit for his work. One more clean sheet in Europe and we will be in the Final in Paris. Arsenal Mentalist and German No1 Jens “I said Wall “Lehmann has also been in fine form, and certainly is not going to let standards drop. It was funny watching him give Manu Eboue a roasting after giving away the free kick at the end of the game on Wednesday but even though there was no time for the kick to be taken , the Big German fella still didn't let the young Ivorian off the hook and Manu took a full on bollocking. The Nutty shot stopper explained his actions saying

I wasn't shouting at him, it's what I said before we can always improve just a little bit and at this level and in the semi-final every little mistake could knock you out and we cannot afford that. We all have to improve a little bit, me as well, if we want to be successful. You have to keep them awake. It's not easy as a defender if you have to concentrate for 90 minutes and cannot afford to make a mistake. "Sometimes it helps if somebody is shouting - but sometimes obviously they would like to shout back and perhaps say 'shut up'

Yes I am sure they would, but to be fair you need your experienced players to be leaders, and Jens was guiding his back four throughout the game, explaining what he requires of them. I think he has been our most consistent player this season along with Kolo, He is as nutty as a fruitcake, but I can't help but love the guy. Lets have a clean sheet tomorrow and Tuesday and he can shout all he likes. One more player I want to mention is Gilberto, he is often much maligned by Arsenal fans, but he was magnificent on Wednesday night, Riquelme hardly got a touch of the ball, such was Gilberto’s brilliance in tracking him and breaking up the play, Gooners are quick to jump on the guy when things go wrong, lets give him the praise he deserves when things go right too. And finally ahead of what is the biggest North London Derby at Highbury since I can remember , our captain summed it up perfectly.

It will be war at Highbury An Arsenal v Tottenham match is a London derby, it's traditionally one of the more important games of the season. This time, the match will be even more important. Fourth place and qualification for next season's Champions League are at stake. We must win.

And that’s your lot , who else is already nervous about tomorrow ?
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