Just another London derby!

David Rocky Rocastle died this morning of cancer, aged just 33. He was a vital player in George Grahams Championship winning side and one of the most talented and committed players ever to put on an Arsenal shirt. Four of todays Arsenal players were in at least one of those Championship winning sides and knew Rocky well, and it was fitting that a win over the old enemy was dedicated to him. Rocastle put in some memorable performances against Sp*rs and he would have relished the hyperbole surrounding Hoddles appointment and the billing of this match as the prelude to next weeks Semi-Final encounter. Of course all this was overshadowed completely by his premature death.

These encounters are rarely good to watch because of their combative nature. This match however, lacked the usual tension since Sp*rs fielded a weakened side - this says a lot about the clubs managements desire to hunt the money rather than beat their North London rivals. Unquestionably, this was a game that meant more to Arsenal - with Leeds and Liverpool hitting great form, aggressively chasing 2nd and 3rd spots for Champions League places next season - a win today was important to maintain the lead over them.

David Pleats last game in charge was marked by fielding of an unusually youthful team, nine players were 21 or under some looking quite promising. Another nine careers ruined then, you may think, and rightly so! In the absence of players like Rebrov, Campbell and Clemence (all injured) the remit of this inexperienced side seemed to be (and all it could be) hold out and dont get injured in the lead up to the FA Cup semi-final which after all is their last chance of silverware and a place in Europe next season.

A dour first half, complimented by trademark profligate finishing from our frontline, forced us to stay around to endure the second 45 minutes, and gave Sp*rs cause for optimism. Gratefully, in the second half our superior passing, fitness and experience began to tell: Martin Keown (back from injury) was at his best, passing brilliantly out of defence, which served to highlight just how inadequate Grimandi, Luzhnhy and Stepanovs have been, filling his red boots. Fortunately, a piece of brilliance, from the otherwise quiet Pires, separated the two sides. Pires converted the hardest of Arsenals chances. Receiving the ball wide on the left from Viera, Pires took responsibility for changing the face of the game (as Overmars frequently did from those wide positions) by cutting inside Iversen, and curling the ball into the far corner. It was a beautifully taken goal, which had to be hit with some venom because until then, Sullivan, the pick of the Sp*rs players all season, had been equal to everything we could through at him. Henry's goal was a nice to have in the lead up to the more crucial clash with Valencia and must have gone some way to build his confidence.

Patrick Vieiras battling in midfield dispossessed one 20-year-old only to clash with another. The fall out from that melee was that Henry received the ball from some 40 yards out. Still with loads to do, he took his hardest chance of the game well, by first running at Perry, twisting and turning as he headed toward goal. As his pace and turning got the better of Perry the ball got caught between his legs just inside the area. He kept his calm though, and dug it out to beat the on rushing Sullivan.

We learned very little about Sp*rs today except they have a promising group of young players coming through their ranks (most of whom are unlikely to play at Old Trafford) and that they are no longer our big London rivals West Ham and Chelsea create just as much excitement these days, arguably more. What we can be sure of is a completely different contest next Sunday as the stakes will be high. It is with some foreboding that I think the team that wants it most, will win the semi-final and thats when Rocky used to come into his own.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon (Luzhny 82), Keown, Adams, Cole, Vieira, Parlour, Lauren (Kanu 67), Pires, Henry, and Wiltord
Tottenham: Sullivan, Gardner, Young, Doherty, Perry, Thelwell, Freund, Iversen, Davies (Etherington 78), Korsten (Piercy 66), and Ferdinand.