More To PLay For Than Meets The Eye

Arsenal bid to transform an inconclusive Christmas period into a bright one as Arsenal play Man Utd in a league match for the final time at Highbury tonight. There will be no Keane and no Vieira, the first time that one of them has not appeared in this fixture for 10 years.

Arsenal followed victories against Charlton away and Portsmouth at Home, with a pretty flat performance against Aston Villa at Villa Park, a game, which ended 0-0 but could have been worse for the Gunners.

However, a performance full of commitment, discipline, desire, hard work and a little bit of luck with and end product, unlike against Chelsea, can put a positive spin on our recent form and instil some much needed belief into the squad.

Belief is highly important at this time of year and consistency is key, if we have any realistic aspirations of winning a trophy then now is the time to show that belief and confidence, which will hopefully lead to some much needed consistency.

Although this game may have had further reaching implications in terms of the title destination in recent seasons, which is now, if it ever has been, not in doubt, this is still a highly important game, perhaps more so for Arsenal.

If Arsenal want to win a trophy and transform this season into a successful campaign, which at this time appears to be ensuring Champions League football at Ashburton Grove, a run in the European and F.A. Cups and the youngsters getting to the final and hopefully winning the Carling Cup, and keeping Thierry Henry, a victory tonight is the best place to start.

If Arsenal can win and put in a good performance tonight then it may prove to be a catalyst for the rest of the season, and could have very far reaching, if underlying, consequences.

Arsenal need to prove they can still win big games and compete with the best. Not only for the fans but for themselves.