Well it’s finally here after what has seemed a very long eight days indeed.  It’s time for Arsenal to stretch that gap in third place again and with Sp*rs only managing a 0-0 draw yesterday it also gives us a chance to add one or two to the goal difference as well.  I’m not a fool, well, ok, I am a fool, but even I know that today will be no walk in the park, but with Sp*rs drawing yesterday it does mean that should we draw it won’t be the absolute tragedy that many will have you believe. Of course, a draw will not be ideal, but we must remember who we are playing.  Feck, this all sounds really defeatist, what the hell is that about?  I guess the nerves are starting to kick in already and I’m readying myself ‘just in case.’  I love this team, but, well, we all know that they have a bit of a habit of letting us down, and even though we had that great run of seven straight wins beating Sp*rs, Liverpool (not that that is any real achievement these days) and Milan as well as the late winner against Newcastle, I guess I’m hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.

We are more than capable of taking all three points today as long as we’ve laid off the stupid pills for a few days.  The sad fact of most of our dropped points this season, as has infuriatingly been the case with this side for a while, is that they have come at our own hands,  I’m struggling to think of one game in which we actually turned up, paid attention, and were then outplayed.  Slips, defensive lapses, midfield malaise and wasteful finishing is our downfall and we need to see as little of that today as is possible.

Luckily, I think this is the ideal match for this side to show what it is truly made of.  I expect there to be no handbrake in sight and for both sides to have a real go at each other.  I’m not expecting the world’s most expensive blue bus to turn up at The Emirates as it has in recent seasons, a point really doesn’t do anyone any favours, though with Sp*rs result yesterday, it hurts them more than it hurts us.

I expect us to go for it and I’ve a funny feeling we’ll see The Ox start, Rambo relegated to the bench through no fault of his own.  He’s not a left winger and the criticism he received last week was uncalled for.  The Ox, who was interviewed on Soccer AM yesterday, is such a likeable fella and his impact in this side is huge.  His drive, enthusiasm and willingness to go at players lifts the whole team and already, in his few appearances, we see a player who gives 100% no matter who the opposition.  Man City will not faze him and he is the type of player who will lift those around him.

I really don’t know what else to say.  We’re as strong as we could hope to be, Jack the only guaranteed starter missing from our line-up and we’ve grown accustomed to his absence unfortunately.  Wenger has options and the team has a point to prove after last week’s defeat away to QPR.

I’m expecting a corker of a match but if we play out a dull 1-0 win then that will be ok with me.  Whatever happens, as long as we give everything we’ve got and actually pay attention, we should not only put another nail in City’s title challenge but help ourselves immensely when it comes to sealing third place.

It really is in our own hands.

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