THE name Wright will always occupy a special place in the hearts of all Arsenal fans everywhere.

During the 1990s, a certain Ian Edward Wright inscribed his name in Gunners history by breaking Cliff Bastin's all-time goalscoring record.

And now his namesake, Richard, is hoping to achieve similar cult-status as he looks to establish himself at one of the great bastions of English football.

The young England keeper might have only made three appearances so far since his £6 million signing from Ipswich in the summer.

But if the latest chants from the North Bank are anything to go by then the 23-year-old is already well on his way to being accepted.

On Tuesday evening a rousing rendition of 'Richard Wright, Wright, Wright' -- a straight copy of the famous Ian Wright signature tune -- filled the north London air as he marked his home debut with a penalty save in the Gunners' 2-1 Champions League victory over Panathinaikos.

But replacing former greats on the terraces is one thing, filling the boots of a current Highbury legend on the pitch is another.

At 38, present England custodian David Seaman shows no signs of retiring gracefully as he battles back from a shoulder injury.

But is heir-apparent is in no hurry to slip quietly back into the wilderness of reserve team football, either, after savouring his first taste of Champions League action on Tuesday night.

"It was fantastic to get such a good reception," said the England wannabe, after hearing the Wrighty chants floating off the North Bank.

"If I can go some way to emulating what Ian achieved at the club then I will be delighted.

"It was the biggest night of my career.

"It was a massive game for the club and it was such a thrill to be involved and to play my part."

Wright -- a life-long Gunners fan -- took a gamble in the summer when he decided to swap the relative safety of Portman Road for Highbury.

With the World Cup looming large at the end of the season, he knows he needs to be playing regularly in the Premiership to stand any chance of usurping Seaman in the England team bound for Japan.

But the 23-year-old certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of confidence and, as he prepares to stand between Rovers and their first away win of the season tomorrow, he knows a decent run at domestic level may yet lead to an international promotion.

"The main aim is to stay in the Arsenal team and, if I can perform week in and week out, then it will help me for England," said a philosophical Wright.

"Obviously, David Seaman is a big obstacle in my way on both counts although if I'm playing for Arsenal, that will help my England chances.

"Of course my aim is to go to the World Cup but my first target is to be playing for Arsenal.

"If I can achieve that goal, then hopefully other things will sort themselves out.

"If the England manager is here watching then, yes, it does help."

Eriksson was there in person to see him save Aggelos Bassinas's spot-kick on Tuesday as the Gunners took a giant step nearer the second phase of the Champions League.

But the North Bank's new hero was remaining typically modest afterwards as he limbered up for the visit of Rovers.

"It was a lucky guess," said the keeper.

"There are certain things I look for but some of it is down to luck and guesswork.

"I've said all along I just want to make it a difficult decision fo the manager when David Seaman is fit again and, hopefully, I went some way towards doing that."