Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has talked up the importance of his side enjoying a good December as they look to maintain their title challenge into the New Year.
The Gunners are unbeaten in 13 Premier League games since the opening day of the season and currently sit second in the table, just three points off leaders Chelsea.
Arsenal will look to continue that run against Stoke City on Saturday, and Wenger believes that his current crop of players have the team spirit and maturity to keep up their good form.
"We have a good team dynamic, we have a very strong team spirit and we have more maturity, definitely. Unfortunately, the teams around us have more as well," he told reporters.
"You can assess the Premier League as very open and very interesting. December is a very important month and for us even more because we have some big games.
"Stoke is another challenge for us [to show] that we can reset, refocus and continue our development and take the points."
Arsenal also face Everton, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion this month.
Barney Corkhill
