Arsenal's Arsene Wenger wary of ‘decisive December’
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stressed on the importance of performing well in December, if his side are to contend for the domestic crown this season.
Arsenal beat Fulham FC 2-1 on Saturday in the English Premier League and claimed top spot in the table. Chelsea FC, who were level on points with the Gunners before the weekend, dropped points when they drew against Everton FC at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United’s game with Blackpool FC could not get underway after the referee postponed the match due to poor pitch conditions.
Wenger’s next stop in the Premier League is at Old Trafford, where he travels on Monday to face archrivals Manchester United.
The fixture is expected to be fiercely contested among the two sides, who share 14 Premier League titles between them.
December also holds some key battles in the Premiership, as Chelsea travel to White Hart Lane to play Tottenham Hotspur before hosting Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will then travel across town to play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on
27th December.
Historically, it has been noticed that teams which emerge on top of the table on the turn of new-year are likely to finish as the champions at the end of the season in May.
Wenger has set his sight on delivering positive results in the big-matches and gaining valuable ground on the title contenders.
The 61-year-old manager said, "December will be a very important month for us and for everybody. When you look at the fixtures, it looks like it is a decisive time for everybody at the same moment in this league. The fixtures of Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester
United and Arsenal are all very big in December."
The Frenchman may be without his inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas, who is expected to be out of action due to a groin problem. Cesc last featured for the Gunners in their 2-3 derby defeat against Spurs in November.
Industrious midfielder, Abou Diaby, who has not played since mid-October, is also likely to miss the crunch tie against United.
While commenting on his player's condition, Arsene said, "He has a small chance to play on Monday. That means it is a bit under 50 per cent at the moment. Diaby is out practising as well with him. He has a very small chance."
Wenger will be hoping for his midfield duo of Samir Nasri and Andrei Arshavin, who are in sensational form this season, to share the responsibility in the centre of the park.
Nasri, who bagged a brilliant brace against Fulham FC on Monday, is the top scorer for Arsenal in the league this season with 8 strikes.
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