MICHAEL Dawson is determined to finally defeat Arsenal - and he is among the Tottenham players using last year's Carling Cup disappointment as motivation this time around.

Spurs threw away a two-goal lead 12 months ago, missing out on a place in the final and the chance of a trophy that then manager Martin Jol felt would help his side's development.

Silverware looked unlikely at the start of this season but progress under Juande Ramos since Jol's departure has kept the club alive in three knockout competitions, with the Carling Cup semi-final delicately balanced at 1-1 after the first leg.

Remaining goalless after extratime at White Hart Lane tonight would get them through, although Spurs will probably be required to defeat Arsenal for the first time since 1999 if they are to book a place at Wembley for next month.

We can't let it play on our minds,'' said centre-back Dawson.

We have not beaten them in 21 games. It is not about that, it is about doing it on the night.'' Dawson was in the side last season when Arsenal defeated them at the same stage after an extra 30 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

To get so close and then to lose it the way we did after being 2-0 up, we were all gutted,'' he said.

Now we have a chance to put it right so fingers crossed with the fans behind us we'll do that.

When you go out in the semifinal of any competition it is always heart-breaking. And to go out to Arsenal was that little bit more disappointing.

I suppose with the reward at the end of it maybe is the biggest game of my career so far.'' Jermaine Jenas, who scored Spurs' goal in the first leg earlier this month, also remembers last season's defeat.

He said: We walked into the changing room afterwards and there was a lot of disappointment.

We don't want to feel that again.

This cup run has given everyone a lift. At the start of the season we weren't firing on all cylinders, there were question marks about us in different areas. It's a nice carrot in front of us to have the chance to get to Wembley.'' Spurs were also in the latter stages of three competitions last year - Jol famously called it dancing at four weddings - but ended with nothing to show for their efforts.