ANDY KING is fully focused on clobbering the Cobblers today but hopes his membership of the Arsene Wenger 'fan club' will help secure a lucrative pre-season clash with the Gunners at the County Ground.

Although there are two months remaining of the present campaign, the Town boss is already trying to begin preparations for 2003-4.

And if Arsenal decide they cannot fit Town into their schedule, then King also has Celtic and Rangers among others on his hit list.

But the Town boss is pulling out all the stops to to try and bring Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and company to the County Ground.

He said: "I like to get ahead of the game a little bit and requests have already been sent off to quite a few clubs.

"One of the clubs contacted is Arsenal a team that it gives me enormous pleasure to watch.

He said: "I added a personal note to Mr Wenger at the bottom of the Arsenal letter we sent to Highbury.

"It might be seen as a bit of flattery but it's just the truth.

"In the letter I said, as a football fan, I am a great admirer of how his team plays the game.

"Watching Arsenal is wonderful entertainment."

King has yet to hear from his Highbury counterpart but there is no doubt such a game would partly make up for the pain of a missed opportunity earlier this season.

Had Town managed to defeat Oxford United in the second round of the FA Cup, their reward would have been a trip to face the champions.

King said: "I've heard nothing back yet but it's not a case of all the eggs being in one basket. Letters have also gone out to Celtic and Rangers.

"Either of those would be wonderful occasions at the County Ground as well. It's the old cliche. If you don't ask, you don't get."

But King's immediate challenge is attempting to mastermind three points today at Northampton.

He said: "There are a couple of worries. Jon Beswetherick said his knee felt sore after training and Danny Invincible missed out altogether with a back problem. We'll have to wait and see how they are.

"Northampton looked low on confidence when I watched them the other night but what concerns me is how we approach the game and how we perform. If our attitude is right I am confident of getting a result."

King knows today's game is a special one for striker Sam Parkin but he has had a quiet word in the player's ear, urging him not to get over excited.

He said: "I don't think Sam Parkin has anything to prove to Northampton.

"He is their loss and our gain.

"What I don't want is him being too hyped up in the early stages of the game."