Every year used to start this way for Arsene Wenger, jostling for position at the top of the Barclays Premier League and indulging in mind games with his managerial rivals. The Arsenal manager admits the title race starts here and is happy to be in the thick of it, with Arsenal set to ease past Manchester United and within a point of leaders Chelsea if they can beat Bolton at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
The next four months will be as much a test of nerve as quality, according to the Frenchman, who has faith in his young team to upset the powerful modern duopoly of United and Chelsea.
'One month ago, we were far from the top but we have created momentum and we have got to keep it going,' said Wenger.
'It is a good opportunity to come back close to Chelsea and we want to take it, to make it more interesting for everybody.
'I believe we can cope, especially with the players coming back from injuries. Let us be consistent, and then we'll see. We're on a good run. Let us test the resistance of other teams by producing good performances.
'The race starts after Christmas. I don't think nerves play a big part in December but they play a big part in March and April.'
Wenger predicts that the Premier League will be won by a team earning 78-83 points from their 38 games and challenged his players to repeat their first half of the season.
'We have played 19 and have 41 points and if you multiply that by two it's 82 points,' said Wenger.
'Chelsea have played 20 games and have 45 points. The champions will be around there - 82, 83, 84 - but we all have to play each other again. Nobody will run away with it and get 19 wins. There are six of seven teams who could play in the top four and they all play each other. That means everybody will drop points.'
'It was up to us to get back in the race by being consistent rather than speaking about the title,' said Wenger.
'I was convinced they would drop points, but not so quickly. What was more important was how we responded to the huge disappointment we had on the day.
'We refused to give up and continued to fight. We believed in our strengths. It was down to us to come back into a better mathematical situation and now we have to keep up the momentum.'
Arsenal's return to title contention may nudge Wenger towards spending money to avoid regrets at the end of the season but his principles remain.
'It is my responsibility to spend the money in the right way,' he said.
'Why should I splash it out and pay 10 for a player who is worth five? You look at the financial situations of many clubs in England and it is because when the income was one they spent two.'
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