May 1994, the beautiful city of Copenhagen; a pretty average Arsenal team, shorn of its leading striker; a European final against Italian “giants”, Parma – Asprilla, Zola, Brolin et al. And I was there, sitting in line with Smudger as he crashed home what proved to be the winner.

Fast forward 15 years. Hope springs eternal; can we dream of a great night in the Eternal City? Maybe.

As someone else pointed out the other day (excellent article Mr Tanner), we are on a good unbeaten run and not conceding very many goals, even though we are not playing especially well. Last night however I thought most of the team played really well. There was a purpose to the team, a structure that worked and some fine play along the way.

Yes, some of the finishing was poor – I have previously pointed out the folly of playing Bendtner as a left winger or a left sided midfielder as he was last night. Did any one really expect him to score with his left foot? There’s more chance of Clichy scoring with his head.

And what of our old friend Emmanuel Eboue on the right side of our attack: Again, why? What’s the point? Is Ramsey really rubbish? Why couldn’t Vela have started and Nik B played on the right? Even Alexamble Song would be preferable to the hapless Ivorian.

But enough moaning: a great performance from RvP, ditto Nasri (shame he wasn’t a couple of inches taller – he’d have had two clear headed goals), excellent work rate and generally good passing from Denilson and a very solid performance from the back four and Manuel in goal.

We should have Eduardo and Adebarndoor back for the away leg, even if it is just on the bench. De Rossi (were we really interested in him? What a waste of space) is banned I believe having tried to send Nasri into row Z. Mexes should have had a second yellow as well. No matter, we will score there I am sure, I just don’t see us conceding three.

Now Inter do your job and Juve too. Work on that dream.