BENNY'S BEEN THERE BEFORE
Posted on: Fri 21 Sep 2007
Benny Feilhaber might not have been in English football for long but he's in a prime position to tell his team-mates about the Emirates Stadium.
The US international played there against Arsenal last season - in the Champions League, while wearing the colours of German side SV Hamburg.
And it's given him a great insight into the Gunners' new home ahead of Derby's first trip there on Saturday.
"It was unbelievable," the 22-year-old revealed to RamsWorld.
Article continues
Advertisement
"The match was a huge one for us in the Champions League and we went a goal up, then I came on at half-time.
"But they were coming at us for the whole game, they were running constantly, and eventually they beat us.
"It was a good experience for me though so I know a little bit more about what to expect this weekend."
Arsenal may have won the game 3-1 but Feilhaber also discovered that the Emirates Stadium is a great venue to play football in.
"The pitch is like a putting green out there," he said.
"It is one of the best pitches I've ever played on so hopefully it's the same on Saturday as it was last year."
Feilhaber, who made his Rams debut in Monday's 1-0 win over Newcastle United, admits that the Gunners are favourites for tomorrow's encounter.
"We know they're the favourites because they are playing at home, they are first in the Premier League, and we know it's going to be a tough game," he added.
"But because of that we've got nothing to lose so we've got to go out there and give our best performance.
"Whether we get the points or not, the most important thing is that we go there and perform to the best of our abilities.
"If we can get a point there then it's a huge confidence boost for us but if not we have got three games coming up against teams we should take points from.
"We go there with no real high expectations other than the expectation to play well."