Imagine making your Arsenal debut at Highbury alongside Cesc Fabregas.

A debut that sees you named man of the match ahead of the future World Cup winning midfielder.

In fact imagine you were the reason that Arsenal won the game.

This is what happened to Barnet goalkeeper Graham Stack against Rotherham United back in 2003.

Stack recalls: “My debut was a special experience, I played at Highbury with Cesc and had a good game.

“I scored and made a crucial save in the penalty shoot-out, which saw us progress in the League cup.”

However, while Fabregas is now living the footballing high life with Barcelona-Stack finds himself in a relegation battle.

A battle that has Stack leading from the front as the stand-in skipper tries to steady the ship at Underhill.

Leadership though is something the Londoner has in abundance.

Stack said: “This is a first for me, as I'd never been a captain before. I was very surprised when Edgar gave me the armband and responsibility.

“Throughout my career though I have always seen myself as a leader on the pitch.”

The armband has given Stack a sense of belonging for the first time in his career. Although nothing is certain in football Stack remains buoyant about Barnet’s survival.

He said: “I am confident that Barnet can stay up, even more so in the last few weeks. Looking at the table we certainly have a good chance.”

Chances have been to few and far between for a keeper who has had the odds stacked against him.

Odds that have seen him try and fail to topple Jens Lehmann, Marcus Hahnemann, and Wayne Hennessey.

Stack admits he has faced some tough competition since he turned professional back in 2000.

He said: “Jens, Marcus and Wayne are all of international standard. I was just unlucky to come up against three quality keepers.

“Although I learned a lot from each of them on and off the field.”

Eventually though Stack found some luck with Scottish Premier League side Hibernian. Scotland proved to be a breath of fresh air for the keeper, who went on to make 62 appearances in three years.

Stack said: “I loved my time in Scotland it was brilliant.

“I met some nice people, played for a great club and was their first choice keeper.”

Choices have often defined Stack throughout his career and his Hibs debut proved to be no different.

He explained: “My decision to interrupt the Celtic huddle was just spur of the moment really.

“We had just lost 1-0 at home in my debut I’d had a good game. I then went to shake the Celtic players hands at the final whistle.

“However they were already in a huddle, so I decided to join in.”

These moments though were fleeting for Stack, as he was caught off guard by Hibernian.

Stack explained: “I was promised a new contract by the boss Pat Fenlon at the end of 2011/2012 season.

“I then went on holiday with my family, which the manager told me to do while I recovered from injury.

“When I returned Pat told me the offer of a new deal had been withdrawn.

“I was just disappointed that Hibernian had told me one thing, then they did something different.”

His disappointment though was short lived, as then Barnet manager Mark Robson offered Stack a life line.

Barnet left the former Arsenal man in no doubt once, he had seen their ambitions for the future.

Stack said: “I didn’t have a lot of offers when I left Hibernian. Mark Robson came in for me and convinced me to join Barnet. I was happy and impressed with the club’s facilities and new stadium.”

Happiness has seen Stack gain a new lease of life with player/ head coach Edgar Davids rewarding his captain with a contract extension.

Life though can be uncertain, and Stack is just focused on Barnet.

He said: “I am really happy at Barnet, I’d be happier if we were higher up the table, but we have a good group of players here.”

Football though is an unpredictable sport, and Stack’s career proves no one can imagine where they’ll end up.