Like every other Arsenal fan, I am very nervous about tonight's game.

However, these are nerves of expectation rather than fear, as the game against Blackburn tonight represents an excellent opportunity to gain a serious advantage in the title race.

With Manchester United amusingly losing to Manchester City and Chelsea falling further behind in the table after playing Liverpool in what could be considered as "the match most likely to have made me eat my own leg with boredom," the Gunners have the opportunity tonight to gain a five point lead in the race to win the Premier League title.

It is a wonderful position to be in, and the aforementioned nerves of expectation are in stark contrast to the feeling I have felt many times over the last two seasons: a fear of failure.

It has been a stunning turnaround for the team this season, and I can shamefully say that I did not expect to have the butterflies fluttering in my stomach after playing 25 games. The truth is, I thought we would be battling for fourth. I have never been so happy to be proven wrong.

Last season, my brother Eggbert and I went to the Arsenal vs. Blackburn game at the Emirates, a match that resulted in a 6-2 win and wonderful pre-Christmas 2006 memories.

Whilst I will always be fond of that game, a dour 1-0 win tonight would mean so much more. It feels like it has been such a long time since our last title challenge, and it has taken 25 games for me to truly believe that this side can win the Premier League title.

Games like tonight will define how far this Arsenal side have come. Have we got the bottle to beat a good side at home and take the opportunity to go five points ahead of the pack? Can our squad cope with the various injuries and absentees we currently face? Two months ago I would have said 'possibly', but with a smile on my face I can now confidently say "definitely."

I'm just happy to be discussing the squad's on the field antics. At a time when off the field antics and business are discussed almost as much as actual football matches, the Gunners represent an oasis of calm, only slightly disrupted recently by David Dein and Big Man Usmanov.

I am happy to support a team where the main points of discussion are based around our performances rather than ownership, and of the "The Big Four" we are the only club to have avoided long, drawn out, dull as dishwater discussions about whether we would rather be owned by Americans or a consortium based in Dubai called DIC.

Until we become more pragmatic about the influence of money in football—which will inevitably happen—people will continue to search for major clubs which have maintained an aura of dignity throughout the influx of investors and battle for ownership that many football clubs now face.

Despite Usmanov's best efforts, Arsenal have maintained their nobility. The fact that nearly all the stories concerning our side have been to do with actually playing football says it all.

The nerves of expectation are tingling, which can mean only one thing: Arsenal FC are challenging for the Premier League title, and tonight the team can take one step closer to etching their names into the history of this glorious football club.

For more, go to www.arsenalinsider.blogspot.com.

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