The original interview first appeared in edition 205 of The Gooner, issued in April 2010. For the first time online, here it appears in its entirety, updated with thoughts on the forthcoming North London derby.

The dream of becoming a professional footballer is one shared by many. The icing on top would be to play for The Arsenal. What happens when you've followed Arsenal home and away and all around Europe as a youngster, and then, aged 11, that lot from the wrong end of Seven Sisters Road come knocking at your door and you eventually find yourself playing for Spurs? Goalscoring Charlton midfielder, and my cousin, Johnnie Jackson, faced just that dilemma. I spoke to him about his quite unique experience of loving Arsenal, but playing for Tottenham.

Joe Mardon: We regularly went to Highbury as youngsters, and you also travelled around Europe with your dad following Arsenal. What are your early memories of supporting the gunners?
Johnnie Jackson: My earliest memory is probably winning the league at Anfield, although at just 7 I probably couldn't appreciate how big an achievement it was. My most vivid memories of a slightly later period are the back to back Cup Winners Cup campaigns. My dad took me to the away games with Torino, PSG and then the final against Parma in Copenhagen as we won in '94. They are great memories for me. As was the following year when I went to the Semi Final away at Sampdoria. What an amazing game that was, with Seamam saving the penalties and being lofted in front of us at the end. Then we went back to Paris for the final against Zaragoza. I remember being close to tears when Nayim's mishit ended up in Seaman's net, but managed to control the waterworks a bit more than you did!

The opportunity to train and play with Spurs came very early to you at the age of 11. What was it like to go from wearing the replica arsenal shirt to then representing Tottenham youth?
I had always dreamt of being a footballer, so when the opportunity to play for Spurs came along I was just excited that a club wanted me! Of course I'd have loved it to have been the Arsenal, but they'd never shown an interest.... I quickly got my head round the fact I was 'Spurs' for two nights a week and 90 minutes on a Saturday morning!

In representing the Tottenham Youth side, and then the reserves, you came across the team you supported on numerous occasions. What are your memories of those games?
That we never had much luck when coming up against the Gooners' in youth team and then reserve matches. Arsenals youth team at that time was particularly strong and we regularly received 3 or 4 goal spankings! The same could be said of the reserve team games too, although they did present me with the chance of playing against two of my all time idols in Tony Adams and Dennis Bergkamp. One Monday night at Stevenage (home of Tottenham reserves) I came across a talented young Spanish lad called Francesc Fabregas. He introduced himself by rounding 5 of our players, nutmegging a couple before beating the goalkeeper and squaring it to his mate to tap in to an empty goal. He went on to be a decent player I believe, and those of us who suffered from him that day still reflect on the 'Fabregas Five'.

You broke through to the Spurs first team on Boxing Day 2003, aged 21, before going on to make 20 appearances for their first team. Did being a part of the Spurs set up for so long, and then playing for them in the Premier League, have any affect on your affection for the team you grew up supporting?
I guess being part of the Spurs first team set up for that long meant it was quite difficult for me to be quite as devoted to the Arsenal as I was whilst growing up. I'd still try and get to games as much as I could, but it was naturally difficult as I was always playing. Ironically, I remember attending a home match against Man City with you, when Henry scored a great goal in the p***ing down rain. Ten days later I scored my one and only goal for Spurs in a 4-3 win against Charlton at the Valley. That was a special night for me, and I can only imagine how much better it would have felt if I'd have had a cannon on my chest instead of a cockerel!

That same year you started against your boyhood idols at White Hart Lane, in a game where we needed just a point to secure the League title. What are your memories of that day? And thanks for sorting me out a ticket! (Johnnie's corner for Spurs ultimately led to Arsenal's break away for Vieira to open the scoring).
Yeah, my first and last senior North London derby, and quite an important one too! I remember being both nervous and excited beforehand, but also surprised that I wanted to win this game more than ever! Sorry, but when you're in the tunnel pre-game, your idols quickly became just another eleven men that you want to beat, and Arsenal would've gone on to win the league that year anyway! The game didn't go to plan personally. We were 2-0 down after half hour, then I got dragged off at half time! On reflection, that match probably didn't have the worst outcome. I didn't lose the game and Arsenal won the league, and I also have the added bonus of Bergkamp's shirt from the day.

It was the only time you have played against the Arsenal at senior level, but didn't a David Pleat error rob you of the chance of getting a run out at Highbury?
Yes, the previous season I'd travelled with the squad to Highbury, but wasn't named amongst the substitutes. I was gutted, sitting in the East Stand with my suit on, and remember hoping Arsenal would stuff them. Two days later David Pleat called me into his office and told me he had made a mistake and had meant to name as a sub...bit late now David!

Were the players and staff at Spurs aware you were a Gooner? Did the Arsenal inside you ever come out in a Tottenham environment?
Yes, people knew. Arsenal were playing Villareal in the Champions League Semi Final Second Leg. The game was into it's second half as we boarded the Spurs reserve team coach after a game of our own. We had it on the TV. As you know, Arsenal conceded the late penalty. This triggered our manager at the time, Clive Allen, to come running down the coach waving his fists in my face with delight. I remained calm....until Jens Lehmann saved the penalty. Then I erupted and duly returned the favour, screaming with joy right in Clive's face! My emotions also got the better of me once at White Hart Lane during Arsenal's 5-4 victory (Nov 2004). I wasn't part of the Spurs squad so was watching from the stands. Ljungberg went down under a strong Pamarot tackle and I jumped up appealing for a penalty! I quickly realised where I was, before accusing Ljungberg of diving and sitting back down sharpish!

Arsenal fans will use Satuday's derby to remind Spurs that fifty years have passed since they last won the title. Growing up, what was your favourite title winning campaign?
I think the 1997-98 season sticks out most to me. It was Wenger's first full season and he'd brought in some very exciting players in Overmars,Petit and Vieira.I don't think anyone expected them to gel so quickly, but that year we played some incredible football and were worthy champions My abiding memory is the Tony Adams left footed half volley against Everton to clinch the title! How fitting. Of course we then went on to complete the first double of my lifetime at Wembley against Newcastle, so it was definitely my favourite year.

The Christmas Gooner will again contain a free calender, this year based around Arsenal kits of the past. Which is you favourite Arsenal kit, and what player do you associate it with?
I love the Adidas home and away kits from from the 1989-89 season. Nothing fancy, just in the classic Arsenal red and yellow away from home with the 3 stripes down the sleeve. I always seem to picture Alan Smith when I think if this kit, probably because he scored every week that season! It also reminds me of that amaxing night at Anfield.....

What have you made of Arsenal this season, and which player has stood out for you?
I've been impressed with Arsenal this year, especially away from home. There does seem to be more resilience about the side, but the home form is a slight concern and the goalkeeper 'problem' still remains an issue. Samir Nasri has been the standout player for me. I've always liked him, but this year his game seems to have moved to another level. He looks a real goal threat too, and he's become one of our most important and influential players.

What are your childhood memories of the North London derby? Which ones stand out and why?
The first North London Derby I remember is, unfortunately, the infamous 3-1 defeat at Wembley in the 1991 FA Cup semi final. I was sat in the Spurs end and I recall my dad telling me to make sure I didn't jump up if we scored! As it turned out I didn't have much to shout about that day anyway...... Another one that stands out is Ian Wright running the length of White Hart Lane and jumping in to Seaman's arms after equalising in the last minute in '93.

The derby will be finished by the time you start for Charlton against Yeovil at the Valley on Saturday. Three points could see us sitting top of the league, however briefly. It's a massive derby isn't it?
It's huge. The fact that we could go top is a great incentive, especially when considering that a few weeks ago it looked like we were playing for second behind Chelsea. Couple that with all the noise coming out of The Lane about how they've 'finally caught us up', and it adds extra spice. A good result might shut them up for a while as they'd be ten points behind us and, surely, out if touch!

I guess you wont know the score until after you've played your important game?
I'll probably get a chance to watch the first half, so I'll know the half time score. After that I'll be concentrating on my own match, which is another important one for us. I'm sure I'll manage to get a little info off someone as to the final Arsenal score!

Speaking of Charlton, and for any Addick stumbling across this, things seemed to have turned around for the team recently? You've been amongst the goals yourself and the side have risen to second in the league. What do you put the recent run of form down to, for both yourself and the team?
We always felt we had it in us to go on a good run. We had a meeting after getting spanked at home against Brighton and said it needed to be a turning point in our season. We've tightened things up defensively, whilst looking good going forward too. I feel like I've got myself fitter, and that's certainly helped my own form. It's helped me get into better goalscoring positions. I've also assumed penalty taking responsibilities as well, so that can only help my tally! We've been on a good run at the moment, and we need to keep that going.

You can follow Johnnie via Twitter @johnnie_jackson whilst more of my Arsenal ramblings can be found here