Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has claimed that his side must capitalise on their packed December schedule if they have aspirations of winning the Premier League this season.
The Gunners play five times in December, including a crunch fixture against Manuel Pellegrini’s table-topping Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium – a potentially title-deciding game.
Having recently returned from injury against Norwich City last Sunday afternoon, the Ox believes that the north London side must make the most of December and gain as many points as possible.
I think it’s going to be massive.
It is always really important because the games come thick and fast and if you have a good Christmas it can really start your new year off well.
The table can really shuffle around because there are so many games in a short space of time, so it’s very important. We are only two points off top spot, so it’s vital to capitalise on this period because I do think it’s never easy for any side.
There are always some teams that do slip up or have a few bad results in this period, so it is obviously much better to be one of the sides that comes out of Christmas in a positive way.
Ultimately that is the aim for us, and only being two points off the top, [if we have a good run] that would mean us staying right up there, if not going top of the table, going into the new year.
The Gunners do not only face a domestically tight schedule, but European football also comes into play with the challenge of Olympiacos away coming thick and fast, with Arsenal knowing that if they do not win the game by a substantial scoreline, their UEFA Champions League journey will be over at the earliest convenience.
Arsenal face Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to move level on points with league leaders Manchester City.
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