Sacrifice

SO this is it. This is the day, this is the match that will define our season — the 90 minutes that will determine our future.

It is a huge game for us, our cup final. And although there is no trophy to be won, there is a big prize at stake.

Guaranteed Champions League football for Arsenal next season. And that’s massive.

Ask most people if they would swap the FA Cup or Carling Cup for a place in the Champions League next season and I’m sure they would.

Well, today we can achieve that — a top-three finish and top European action for sure next season.

OK, it might not be a day out at Wembley but I tell you it will feel like it at three o’clock this afternoon.

Our biggest game of the season in our final match of the season.

And we all know what needs to be done. A win at West Brom and we are there.

A win at The Hawthorns and there’s nothing that Tottenham and Newcastle can do. A win for us and we will guarantee third and it is so important as fourth doesn’t guarantee you anything. For if Chelsea win the Champions League they will automatically qualify for the competition again next year.

Can you imagine that? Finishing fourth and then losing out to Chelsea?

I don’t want Arsenal to have to run that risk so it is essential we win today to keep ourselves above Tottenham and Newcastle.

A win, any win, even an ugly win — I will take that for sure. Just so long as we get third spot.

I will do everything and anything to make sure we do.

You know what? All the goals I have scored this season, all the awards I have won — I would trade them all in an instant for us to win today.

What’s the point in achieving all that personal success if your team fails?

Football is a team game and if my team fails then I have failed.

The truth is I wouldn’t have scored all those goals, won the awards without my team-mates.

My success is a reflection of all the hard work and great play of my colleagues.

Alex Song has given me so many assists it’s frightening.

Theo Walcott has, too.

It was unbelievable passes from Alex that allowed me to score my two favourite goals this season — the volleys against Everton and Liverpool.

Both great goals and I am very proud of my finishes.

But neither would have been possible without the amazing passes. Today I’m hoping for another pass like that and another finish like that to end the season in style.

That would be cool but this match is so important I’ll be just as happy with a simple tap-in or a fluke of a goal.

It doesn’t matter to me. In fact, it doesn’t matter if I score or not. I honestly don’t care just as long as we win.

When we have finally done it I will sit down with the boss Arsene Wenger and the chief executive Ivan Gazidis at the end of the season and discuss my contract with them.

For now, though, my focus is simply guiding Arsenal to the Champions League so the situation has not changed.

I am very proud to be captain of Arsenal Football Club.

I truly love this club and, whatever happens in the future, I am a Gunner and I will always be a Gunner.

And that’s why I will do everything to make sure we win today because it’s unthinkable that Arsenal will not be in the Champions League.

We have a very proud record in the competition and we want to maintain that, to add to that. It’s the place to be.

I read somewhere that it’s worth £25million to qualify and I’ve heard that Chelsea will earn £47m if they beat Bayern Munich in next Saturday’s final!

So you can understand how important it is for the clubs.

But it is extra special for players, too.

It’s where Europe’s top clubs meet to decide who is the best of the best and you want to be in there — you HAVE to be in there.

The good thing is it’s still in our hands, still in our grasp. We know there can be no more slip-ups.

This is it — 90 minutes to seal our fate. We must deliver.