Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has highlighted the importance of a successful December for Arsenal.

The Gunners struggled in the Premier League in November, picking up just two points in three outings, and now must go on a positive run in order to mount a serious title challenge.

Fourth-placed Arsenal have five league fixtures during the festive season and midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain is well aware that fortunes must turn if the North Londoners want to keep pressure on the top few sides.

"I think it's going to be massive," he told Arsenal Player. "It is always really important because the games come thick and fast and if you have a good Christmas it can really start your new year off well.

"The table can really shuffle around because there are so many games in a short space of time, so it's very important. We are only two points off top spot, so it's vital to capitalise on this period because I do think it's never easy for any side.

"There are always some teams that do slip up or have a few bad results in this period, so it is obviously much better to be one of the sides that comes out of Christmas in a positive way.

"Ultimately that is the aim for us, and only being two points off the top, [if we have a good run] that would mean us staying right up there, if not going top of the table, going into the new year."