After the trip to White Hart Lane on Saturday, there are two home games - against Fulham and title-chasing Chelsea – to come before the final match at Portsmouth.

The clash with City last night had an end-of-season feel about it as both teams appeared to go through the motions at times.

Gilberto, though, knows there will be no such luxury afforded Arsenal in the 155th north London derby.

“I played there when we won the league in 2004 – and although many of the players have now left, the traditions of the match are still the same,” said Gilberto, standing in for the injured Thierry Henry.

“We will need to keep our minds strong because this is the kind of game where you do not have time to relax for one minute.

“We know in the matches against Tottenham if we do not play at 100% then it will be difficult. It is important to keep our concentration high over all of the final four games.”

Gilberto added: “Against City, it looked a bit strange. After our first goal, we relaxed a little bit.

“Sometimes we can play very nice football and draw or lose. Against City, we did not play our best, but got three points.

“We have been in transition and it has been so hard for us, there have been some bad times this year. But I really believe that for next season the young players in the squad will have grown in confidence and experience.

“They will be stronger than we have been in the last two years.”

One young man key to Arsenal’s future success is midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The 19-year-old crashed in a stunning effort to spark a second-half revival last night – doubling his Premiership tally for the season having finally got off the mark against Bolton.

“I have not really played with a young player as good as he is,” said Gilberto of the Spaniard, who is nominated for both the PFA Player of the Year awards this weekend.

“Ever since he came into the starting XI, he has done so well. He has a great quality in his passing and vision and now he is scoring goals as well.

“I have played alongside Patrick Vieira, who was a great player and one who was very experienced. Cesc has done so well to replace him. He has a lot of talent and although it takes time, he can be one of the best.”

The future of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, 37, who was guilty of a mistake which led to City’s equaliser last night, is expected to be resolved imminently.

Gilberto, 30, said: “Of course we want Jens to stay at the club.

“You never know what the situation is of others, but it is important to have good players.

“Jens is a very good goalkeeper and a very good professional. It is important to have these things at the club.”

For City, last night was a first defeat in five matches.

Manager Stuart Pearce was, however, not too despondent, his team now clear of the relegation battle.

He said: “It is an example of how we have come on that the players were so disappointed at losing because they felt they were in with a great chance at half-time.

“I could not fault our effort or application.”

Speculation continues about whether the Gunners could be under the control of American-based Kroenke Sports Enterprises.

The US company – backed by the billions of Stan Kroenke – recently bought just over an 11% stake in the club.

Chairman Peter Hill-Wood, however, maintains majority shareholders Danny Fiszman, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and David Dein, the vice-chairman, have “no interest in selling”.

He said: “These people love Arsenal, they do not need the money.

“Having a few extra million pounds in the bank is of no interest to them. We are here for Arsenal Football Club, not to make a few bob. We would be horrified to see it go across the Atlantic.

“The club has been run for the benefit of supporters, staff and players, and the shareholders would prefer to stay in control than sell out to some stranger without the years of support they have.”