Wenger warns Premier League crown can be won or lost in December

London, Nov.4: Coach Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal team that the Premier League crown could be won next month... or thrown away.

According to The Sun, he believes December will be the make-or-break period for the title-chasing clubs as injuries and loss of form all kick in.

Wenger's Gunners, who face AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League tonight, are five points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

But, having welcomed back Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky from injury, they are now reeling from the loss of Gael Clichy and Nicklas Bendtner.

Left-back Clichy will be out for up to two months with a stress fracture of his back while striker Bendtner is sidelined for four weeks with a groin problem.

Wenger said: "It's frustrating when players get injured. In England, you get the injuries in November - it is unbelievable when you look at the stats. Normally, in December, you can win or lose the championship, so you want your players to be available."

"The only team who have had less injuries than the others at the moment are Chelsea. They are top of the league but they are not really dominating. They are two points ahead if we win our game in hand," he added.

Arsenal could seal their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League against Alkmaar, who scraped a draw with a 93rd-minute leveller in Holland two weeks ago.

It seems unthinkable Wenger's side will fail to progress to the last-16 from what is a weak Group H.

--ANI