"I think we're all pretty happy that Saturday's match is behind us now. The hype building up to that tie was ridiculous in the end. At the moment, I'd sooner look forward to the challenge of the Champions' League than backwards to the derby match, which has already had enough words spoken about it.

"I have to say I feel really happy at Arsenal at the moment and more content with my lot here than I have for a year or so. The last eighteen months have been a little turbulent for me at times and there have been some difficult moments.

"It starts with Euro 2000, really. I felt shattered after we lost the semi-final of that competition on our own turf. We missed a golden opportunity to make football history and that hurt me. It was my last chance for international glory, remember, because I retired from the international scene straight after that game.

"It's always hard to get back into the swing of football in the season following a draining international tournament. However, I felt pretty good at the start of the 2000/01 season. Part of the reason I had quit international football was so I could devote myself entirely to Arsenal.

"So you can understand that I found it hard to take when I realised that I was going to be part of a so-called squad rotation system. I'd gone from being a regular starter for Arsenal and Holland to having to wait my turn for any games. It took a lot of getting used to, I can tell you. Now I'm pretty used to it and accept it but at the time it was very strange. Then I had a few problems getting my new contract sorted out which was also hard.

"I got the contract sorted out and started getting more games. Then, I picked up an injury which was a real blow. I only just made it back forthe FA Cup Final as a late substitute. Having missed the FA Cup Final in 1998 through injury, it was quite a blow to not be able to take a biggerpart in the final against Liverpool. It wasn't the ideal way to leave for the summer break.

"This season, things are going so much better. I scored two goals on the opening day of the season and have felt on top of my game pretty much consistently ever since. If you look at the performance against Real Mallorca alone, I think my excellent frame of my mind is there for all to see. I've also learned to accept the squad rotation system. I can't lie and say I like it but I can see now that it's normal for the top clubs.

"Despite some rumours over the summer that I wasn't wanted at Highbury anymore, Mr Wenger has made it clear he wants me to stay. He's said that in private to me and publicly to the press. That's good enough for me because Mr Wenger is the man who knows about football at the club.

"Now I just want to get on with what I do best – helping this great club to win trophies. We're definitely due another trophy on the sideboard after so many near-misses since the Double win of 1998. I have to say that this is the strongest Arsenal side I've played in and I believe we're good enough to win any of the competitions we're involved in thisseason. And yes, that includes the Champions' League.

"You haven't seen anything like the best of this Arsenal team yet. We've had some disappointments recently but any suggestions that we're out ofthe running for the Premiership are rubbish. That's just typical English cynicism, if you don't mind me saying that.

"In closing, I want to say that the Arsenal fans have been absolutely fantastic to me and nothing would make me happier than winning the Champions' League for them this season. It's probably my best chance towin the trophy."