Clearly forgetting his own hyperbole of recent times Wenger bristled at Jose Mourinho's claim that Chelsea were title favourites and responded in classic kettle-pot mode:
"They are not unstoppable. We are back in the race, we are very hungry and we have talent and the ingredients to make the race interesting."
Wenger added: "Christmas for us started here. The league could look a lot different on Boxing Day and after the games on December 28. We are only halfway through the season and a lot can change."
"In this league everyone can take points against everyone. There is still a long way to go. The important thing is we keep picking up results and just hang in there."