So let’s begin by remembering the team that started at Anfield on January 9th. Almunia - Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Traore - Walcott, Fabregas, Song, Denilson - Julio Baptista, Aliadiere.

Expect the same keeper, back four and attack to start at the Lane tomorrow evening. In midfield replace Fabregas with Diaby. Expect to see a similar line-up for the second leg (although Gilberto may come in) with three big guns on the bench (Adebayor, Cesc and Henry). Just in case it’s close and Arsene can see the chance of an unlikely victory.

Arsenal reserves played Tottenham reserves last night at Underhill. Lost 3-0. Another bunch of Arsenal reserves (Toure excepted) will travel to the Lane. But this time they will be taking on first team opposition. Martin Jol will not put out any unfamiliar inexperienced names in the way that Rafa Benitez did. The Spurs line-up will be the normal one who are used to playing together and if I were a completely neutral gambling man, I’d back the Totts to make it to Cardiff for a final in which it would be difficult to know who to want to lose more (assuming Chelsea get past Wycombe!)

It must be remembered that however convincing the 6-3 win in the last round, it was down to the poor quality of the kids that Liverpool threw in. The Gunners that won the game were not familiar playing in the same line-up but fortunately did not require the understanding that will be needed to dismiss Tottenham.

Having said that, there is unquestioned talent, and the back five are certainly good enough (I rate Traore highly and am assuming Denilson will be instructed to double up on Aaron Lennon) to keep the tie in the balance if, and this is a massive if, Diaby and Song can play out of their socks in the middle. A very inexperienced coupling, with little in the way of authority alongside them. But Arsenal must not concede the middle of the park. Frankly, I think the first leg is a good example of where a 4-5-1 would be justified, with Baptista in the middle just to help with numbers.

The confidence of recent victories means the squad is on a roll, but always remember that Wenger’s passion for the domestic Cups in no way reflects that of the public. He’ll put a strong team out against Bolton in the FA Cup just to keep his first choice players ticking over, but don’t expect to see that should there be future rounds once the Champions League is on the agenda.

I think the one realistic thing I’d like to come out of the first leg against Spurs is that Arsenal are still in the tie come the second leg. A draw would be out of this world, and with the team we’ll put out, even a one goal defeat would be no disgrace, whilst still allowing a chance of making the final.

You could argue it’s a no lost situation because Spurs will not face our best players whilst fielding theirs and in the event that they were knocked out by our second stringers the humiliation would be total. Gunners can always argue that any Tottenham victory would be a hollow one as we have bigger things to worry about winning, and the Carling would soon revert to the Tinpot. Somehow though, in the heat of the derby matches, I think we’ll all be wanting it. So step forward Alexander Song and show us you are the player Arsene Wenger would have us believe. Please.