Please don't let me hear anyone say ‘It’s only Burnley’ on my way to the ground or prior to kick off. It's not. It’s one of ten critical league matches that can change the attitude, confidence, lives, fortunes and esteem of our entire squad. It’s part of a series of games that may have mega-implications on our Club's future both on and off the field. It’s part of a run-in that could possibly slap a huge knowing smile on the faces of millions of Gooners for an entire summer. It could be part of a sequence that could really bring our stadium to life, giving it some tangible history and real soul in the process. But above all it could be part of a string of games that makes Ashburton a home we can really love where trophies become the norm once more.

Against Burnley we'll maybe be missing four potential centre backs in Gallas, Djourou, Campbell and Song. We'll be possibly be without Vela, Van Persie and Diaby. We'll also be without Aaron Ramsey thanks to what was apparently a perfectly fair and normal Premiership challenge from some much maligned English Saint, who has previous, but is absolutely not that kind of player and loves his mum. The fact that the Krays also loved their mum is of no account. The fact that the Arsenal players' mums now believe it advisable to attend matches driving their own personal ambulances is seemingly also of no account.

Make no mistake our match with Burnley is a very big game - if you're going please treat it as such. The team showed us something up at Stoke, a spirit and determination that hasn't been around as often as we'd have liked in recent years. We need to reciprocate this spirit and determination at full volume. If you're not up for it please give your ticket to someone who is.