Arsenal will make their first ever trip to the Island Soccer League (ISL) play-offs todaywhen they take on Knights at the National Sports Centre (NSC) in the first round of the next stage.

This year has been one of firsts for Arsenal with the club winning their maiden game, quickly followed by a play-off berth at the expense of the 2007 champions Kings.

Yet none of these accomplishments has coach Mark Jennings jumping for joy after he declared that his side had expected to be in the play-offs with the talent they have.

"It feels good to be in the playoffs this year," said Jennings. "We have a good nucleus of players in the team, so we are working together and having fun while also trying to reach our goals and this was one of them.

"We have but at the end of the day we are looking to improve match by match."

Avoiding defending champions Storm was the biggest hope for Jennings and his men, which is something they have managed, drawing the Knights in the first round.

Jennings is confident of his side's chances of getting through to the semi-finals, but has urged his side to focus and take their chances tonight in order to still be standing at the end of the game's play.

With an air of confidence surrounding a side boasting the likes of Dwiya Blyden, Ian Coke Reggie Lowe and Cecoy Robinson, Arsenal could very well make a serious charge to the title as long as they play the way they have up until this point.

"We really didn't want to play the Storm, and we got the Knights which I like the match up.

"This will be the first time we are playing a team from the other bracket so it will be a good challenge.

"Keishon has a nice system over there, but if we stick to what we know and play our game we will be okay.

"The difference will be the guys who can finish.

"In any form of the game goals are scored in the first five and last five minutes of each half and the main thing is that we focus for the whole quarter.

"We play each quarter as a game because the moment you lose focus you are behind.

"Even though it is a smaller field it is surprising how guys miss the chances they do in all teams, so we must take our chances and do what needs to be done.

"Dwiya and Ian have to focus a little harder and we will be okay.

"I wasn't the coach last year but the players tell me it is best the overall team atmosphere.

"We have trained more this year and a bit harder to get where we want to be, which is in the position we are in right now.

"We are basing things on the skills of each player and looking to enjoy ourselves as well."

The first match of the double header will see second place in the Red Division, Union, take on third place Titans at 7.15 p.m. at the National Sports Centre, while the Knights and Arsenal square off at 8.45 p.m.