Sidwell's double vision

13 April 2012

While his Arsenal team-mates prepare to take the next step on their seemingly unstoppable march to the Premiership title, Steven Sidwell is dreaming of the First Division. And he couldn't be any happier.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who is on loan at Brentford until the end of the season, was in the stands at Highbury on Wednesday to see Arsenal beat West Ham 2-0 and he hopes to make it to Bolton for their game on Monday night.

But in between, the England Under-20 international has been totally focused on Brentford as they prepare for Sunday's Second Division play-off semi-final at Huddersfield.

"It's an exciting time for me," he said. "Of course I keep one eye on Arsenal with the Premiership title so close, but the most important thing for me is Brentford and I have to give them everything.

"We're determined to fight back after missing out to Reading on the final day of the season and we believe we can still win promotion. That would be my dream.

Promotion for Brentford and the championship for Arsenal."

Brentford were only 13 minutes from reaching the First Division when Reading equalised to secure the last automatic promotion spot.

Sidwell, however, insists the players have recovered and are ready for the task ahead. "We all went out for a meal together after the Reading game. It was a good night but you couldn't get the result out of your mind.

People were saying that I shouldn't be worried because I won't be at Brentford next season, but it still hurt because I feel part of this team and I badly want to win promotion. Thankfully, we've all recovered and we're determined to finish the job."

Martin Rowlands, Ijah Anderson and Darren Powell are all fit despite picking up niggles last weekend.

"There's no doubt that this team is good enough to go up," said Sidwell. "I feel like I owe them a lot because I have come on so much since I came here. Steve Coppell and Wally Downes have been brilliant and I don't think I would have got picked for the England Under-20 team if I hadn't come here.

"People ask me if I regret leaving Arsenal at such an exciting time, but I don't. Now if we can just end it with promotion then hopefully both clubs will be celebrating."

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