WHEN the famous North Bank clock strikes ten to five tomorrow afternoon, Highbury may or may not have the perfect send-off.

The destination of the Premiership title has already been decided. The glittering prize will sit proudly at Stamford Bridge again next season, much to the frustration of everyone connected with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

But the Gunners, who also have an appearance in the Champions League final on May 17 to look forward to, do have something to play for when they run out at their grand old stadium for the last time tomorrow.

The issue is clear. If Arsenal beat Wigan and Tottenham fail to beat West Ham at Upton Park then Arsene Wenger's men will have the fourth place they are desperate to clinch.

That will secure the qualifying spot for the Champions League and leave their north London rivals defeated on the final day of the campaign.

You can't help but think Arsenal supporters might even prefer that ending to actually winning the Premiership.

Failure to do so and the year in which Arsenal had hoped to sign off in style at Highbury could well end in disamay.

Finishing outside the top four for the first time since 1996 is not the best way to pay tribute to your old home.

Actually winning the European Cup wouldn't be a bad one either, but without sounding too pessimistic Wenger's team of youngsters are up against a Barcelona side who have been regarded as the best team in Europe for the past couple of years.

That is why the pressure on Arsenal to succeed tomorrow is nearly as huge as it is to overcome Barca.

The new multi-million pound Emirates Stadium needs to host Champions League football next season or the decline of the mighty Arsenal could well start.

The space-age stadium lurks just around the corner from the North Bank and high above the houses around the surrounding area.

It is hoped it will launch a new era for the club, yet it is impossible to believe that will be the case if a place in club football's premier competition doesn't arrive.

Thierry Henry, the man who has spearheaded Arsenal's outstanding fortunes in recent years, is sure to leave if Champions League football is not on show at the 60,000 venue.

And, given the progress made by the club this season on the continent, there is every reason to think some of the top clubs around will be ready to pounce on the Wenger boys.

A lot has been made already of the likelihood that Robert Pires will be departing for pastures new but, more worryingly, Arsenal would be in complete disarray if they lost the players destined to be the stars of the future.

Emmanuel Eboue, Cesc Fabregas, Phillipe Senderos and the like have all proved themselves to be some of the hottest properties in the world game.

A failure to keep hold of such players would be a huge blow to the future of Arsenal.

Should Arsenal have to settle for a UEFA Cup place next season then there is a greater chance many of those players would demand to move on.

With that in mind, you would have to wonder whether or not Wenger would be suffering from second thoughts regarding the England job.

He has made no secret of a desire to manage this country one day, but insisted he would see out the remaining two years of his contract first.

Now that Steve McClaren has signed a four-year deal there is a strong chance of him signing fresh terms at Arsenal before the next opportunity at Soho Square arises.

With that in mind, Wenger knows he has to focus on the short term.

That means ensuring this season does not end on a low note. Realising a dream of reaching the Champions League final is one thing, losing it and losing out to Tottenham in the race for fourth is quite another.

Arsenal, and Highbury, are entering the final days of the season. One will disappear forever, the other has to ensure it does not follow it into decline.

*Arsenal captain Henry has been named Barclays player of the year.

Henry is the leading scorer in the Premiership.