SEBASTIEN Bassong admits that he will be a Gooner for 90 minutes on Saturday – willing Arsenal to victory over Manchester City at the Emirates. City's defeat in the Manchester derby on Saturday, coupled with Tottenham s win over Chelsea...

By Ben Pearce

SEBASTIEN Bassong admits that he will be a Gooner for 90 minutes on Saturday - willing Arsenal to victory over Manchester City at the Emirates.

City's defeat in the Manchester derby on Saturday, coupled with Tottenham's win over Chelsea, gave the Lilywhites a two-point lead in the race for the top four.

This Saturday the scenario is almost identical. Spurs travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, five hours before Arsenal host City in north London.

"I think it's a really good day for English football. The race is really interesting for all the fans, all the people who are watching on TV, so it's a good thing for them and for us," said Bassong.

"I've got a few friends in the Arsenal team - Alex Song and Abou Diaby. We beat them on Wednesday so now I will text them and phone them to encourage them!"

Cameroon international Bassong has hailed the victories over Arsenal and Chelsea as some of the best days of his career.

But, as he looks ahead to a daunting trip to Old Trafford, he admits that he and his team-mates will have to reproduce their very best form again to stay on track for Champions League qualification.

"We knew after the defeat in the cup semi-final that we had a big, big week coming, so we had to respond very well, and I think we did a great job," said Bassong.

"Earlier in the season we didn't win these games. Now we've beaten Arsenal and Chelsea at home so it proves we have improved since the start of the season.

"We had loads and loads of chances, real chances against Chelsea. We should have had a clean sheet first, and maybe we should have won by three or four goals, but we're happy - we won and that's the main thing.

"It's maybe the best week, certainly one of the best weeks of my career, because we're in the race for the fourth spot and I think we made a great step on Saturday, but we have to carry on like that.

"Manchester United are still the champions, one of the biggest names in England. They may be second in the table, but that still means they're fighting for the title. For me, honestly, there is nothing wrong with them so we have to be really focused.

"I've played at Old Trafford a few times. I never win. I drew with Newcastle on the first day of last season, but that's the only point I've taken over there. We're going to try to take some more points this time.

"In football, if you want to be the best, you have to want to take all the points. We knew that it was going to be very hard in these games but we know where we want to go, and if we want to reach the top four we have to take the maximum points.