Top scorer Will Nightingale wants a trip to The Emirates Stadium to become a more regular occurrence for our fans, in line with the aspirations of Head Coach Mark Robinson.
“Robbo drills it in to us – why should you fear anyone? No fear. What have you got to lose?” said Will, as we prepare to face twice winners and six-times runners-up Arsenal in the Carabao Cup tonight.
“There’s a lot of positives in how we’ve been playing this season. We’re going to go there in full confidence and see where it takes us.
“He keeps saying this is the greatest story in English football and it is - if you look from where we’ve come from. Robbo is big on how big this club can be. He wants us to reach the heights and he’s got big aspirations for the club and driving us forward.
“Football is for the fans and that’s what makes this club so special. We’re trying to create that bond between the players and the fans. We’re probably going to sell-out what we’ve been allocated, which is fantastic! It’s going to be a great night and nights like this is what it’s all about. You think back to Ivor Heller, Trevor Williams, Marc Jones and Kris Stewart – this night is for people like them who started the club up again.”
Having used his head, centre-back Will finds himself in the unusual position of topping the scoring charts for The Dons – with his four goals having come against Bolton, Oxford, Portsmouth in the Trophy and most recently away to Morecambe.
“I didn’t initially set a target for the season, but I’ve got set-piece coach Andy Parslow in my ear!” said Will. “He wants me to get to double figures and I think it’s a nice target to get to. It’s probably realistic with the start I’ve had.
“Anthony Hartigan’s deliveries are on the money, so me and Ben Heneghan back ourselves to get a decent amount of goals.
“I’m enjoying scoring goals at the minute, but at the same time I’m trying to work on all aspects of my game. It was something I always felt I could add. There were times in previous seasons I used to be kept back from corners, so I’m happy that I’m up there now and try and add to the goal tally!”
If we are to progress to the last sixteen, having beaten Charlton and Northampton to set-up the third-round tie with The Gunners, we may have to get the better of a former Wimbledon favourite in the form of Arsenal’s new goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
“I’m over the moon for ‘Rambo’, he’s done brilliant since he left us,” said Will, who reached 150 appearances for Wimbledon at the weekend. “We stayed in League One when he was with us and he was good for us, but no matter who we play against we’re just concentrating on ourselves.
“I’m sure I’ll speak to him after the game, but until then I’m there to win – just as all of our boys are.”
You can see the full interview with Will Nightingale below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.