ARSENE WENGER believes December will be the defining month for Arsenal to get back into the title race. Following a terrible start to the season, which included the 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United, Arsenal have won four of their past five league games, last Saturday’s 5-3 defeat of Chelsea suggesting they may have the quality to mount a challenge.

With United losing 6-1 to Manchester City two weeks ago, there is a sense the Premier League may be open this season despite Roberto Mancini’s side leading their cross-town rivals by five points.

Asked if Arsenal could yet force themselves back into contention, Wenger replied: “It is too early to say that. If we win a few more games, why not? We are only three points behind Chelsea, but we need a strong period and Man City need a weaker period . . . We are not near enough to say we are playing for the championship but we want to come back. We are back already in a position where we can aspire to be in the top four. We were not three weeks ago.

“Mathematically you are not out of it but you have to be closer to speak about it. We are 12 points behind Man City and that is too much. So for us, let’s be humble and progressive. What is for sure is that in December, if we are in a very strong position, then we have a good chance. We will have played Man City away, Tottenham away, Chelsea away, Man United away, and they all come to the Emirates after Christmas. For us to be in a strong position at that stage would be very important.”

Regarding City’s prospects of being champions Wenger said: “I don’t really know. They had some impressive away results and especially at Tottenham and Man United but we have to see. If they are still there with that difference in December, then you can say it will be difficult to catch them.”

GuardianService