Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal players to take the opportunity to move into the top four during a run of important winter games.
Arsenal manager ready for tough test against Wolves
Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal players to take the opportunity to move into the top four during a run of important winter games.
The Gunners have bounced back impressively from a dismal start to the season and are currently fifth in the Premier League standings after beating Aston Villa 2-1 away from home in midweek.
Wenger is now looking for another three points in Tuesday's home clash with Wolves, which will be followed by games against Queens Park Rangers on New Year's Eve and Fulham on 2nd January.
The Frenchman knows a slip-up could cost Arsenal dearly as they are just two points ahead of sixth-placed Liverpool and he has urged his team to retain their focus for the rest of the festive campaign.
"We know we have an opportunity to gain a better position on the table. It's down to us to do our job," Wenger said.
"In the Premier League the Christmas period is vital to get your points.
"We have responded well to our defeat at Man City with a win at Aston Villa, so now it's down to us to do the job at home and get the points against Wolves on Tuesday.
"Every game has its own difficulty so what is important for us is to focus on our own game and perform well.
"In the Premier League if you don't focus then you don't win, so let's focus on our next game and try to win it.
"We have learned that you win only if you are at your best. That's the difficult (thing), to combine the Christmas period with focus."
Dangerous
A London Underground strike has caused the Gunners to put the game against Mick McCarthy's team back by 24 hours.
That means the Arsenal players will have Christmas Day off, but Wenger has warned his squad that they will face a tough task when they return to action at the Emirates Stadium two days later.
McCarthy came under fire as Wolves started slowly and the Midlands outfit sit just one point above the drop zone having taken one point from their last two games against Norwich and Stoke.
Despite his team's superiority, Wenger is expecting a tough game, however.
"Wolves are a side that plays good football," Wenger said.
"They always look dangerous going forward and they make it tough for everybody. They have the Mick McCarthy spirit and attitude, they never give up.
"They play a very positive game so we know what to expect. They fight to stay in the league and you know it is always an intense game against them. They are dangerous, of course, they make life difficult for everybody."
