Arsene Wenger is so obsessed with making Arsenal the dominant force in English football that he has forgotten all about Christmas.
Wenger's champions -- in keeping with the traditionally busy English schedule over Christmas and New Year -- have three games in six days from December 26, the day after Christmas Day.
"I didn't even realise it was Christmas next week," he told reporters at the club's training ground on Friday.
"Look at the fixtures -- we live around them and you don't think when Christmas Day is. We will have a full training session on the morning of (December 25) and in the afternoon we will travel to Birmingham for our next game."
Arsenal, who meet Middlesbrough at home on Saturday, face Midlands club West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on December 26, and then host title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea on December 29 and January 1 respectively.
Wenger says he and his players are happy to make the sacrifice of working over the traditional holiday period.
"The title race is getting serious, and my players are now highly motivated again," he said.
"The football world is privileged, so we realise we have to work when other people are off. I have chosen this job.
"This time of year is such an important part of the season and we want to start reaching our level again."
Arsenal lead the premier league table with 36 points from 18 games, one point ahead of second-placed Manchester United. Chelsea are
But the north London club have picked up just four points out of the last 12, and their fortunes have been underlined by meek performances in the face of committed opposition.
The accusation now levelled at Wenger from some quarters is that Arsenal, while a great footballing side, will not be able to scrap their way to a second successive title.
"If other teams want us to battle, then we will battle," the French coach said.
"When it turns into a battle, we want to win that battle without forgetting our game. Teams are now trying to play a different way against us -- but my team is capable of adapting, without a problem, to anything.
"Of course we have played within ourselves recently and had a dip. We used to walk on the pitch and know we would win, but after losing two or three times it affects your subconscious belief.
"We need to find the resources to get back to our normal level...but at the moment, we are where I want us to be. The players have shown me they want to win the title again, and that's a positive thing."
Parties have become de rigueur for most people celebrating Christmas, even English football clubs. But Wenger said: "I don't think it's the right time of the year for a Christmas party.
"We will have something at the club, with all the players, in January, but at the moment we have so many important games. In fact, the best way to celebrate is to win games and party after you win."
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