West Brom: Jonas Olsson has a dream of playing on the big stage

Sep 24 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Mail

JONAS Olsson has admitted that Tuesday’s trip to the Emirates Stadium left the Baggies dreaming of being back on the big stage.

The Carling Cup encounter at Arsenal’s impressive home gave the majority of Roberto Di Matteo’s squad the chance to rekindle memories of trampling the turf of the Premier League’s top four.

Journeys to Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge have been briefly forgotten, having been replaced by the Championship likes of Oakwell, Bloomfield Road and Glanford Park.

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However, Albion are on a mission to get themselves back to English football’s top destinations as a Premier League team, having kicked off their promotion charge in style.

And towering centre-back Olsson insists the recent Emirates experience has only heightened their hunger.

“The Emirates has reminded us of what we are missing,” admitted the Swede.

“It was an inspiration for us knowing that we were there last year and if we do well this season then we could be again next year. That is where we want to be next year.

“I didn’t play at the Emirates last year as I hadn’t yet joined. This is what we have to strive for as a club and as players.

‘‘We know that if we do well we can come back. It’s an inspiration for us.”

The 2-0 loss in North London was the first time that Albion have tasted defeat under Di Matteo having made a blistering ten-game unbeaten start to the 2009/10 campaign.