Well the month of January was just about as bad for Arsenal as we feared and a lot worse than I for one expected. It could have been worse for Arsenal though, because at least our rivals dropped some points as well and that leaves things very tight at the top.
Because Man City were held at home to Everton and away to West Ham, while Leicester City drew with Aston Villa and Bournemouth, the top four clubs are separated by just five points and so any and all of them are in with a good chance.
The upcoming month of February could therefore be crucial and there is nothing to suggest that Arsenal cannot come out of it in control of the title race. To be honest I think we have to, and that means that the Gunners need to win at least three of the four league games and preferably all of them.
It is not an easy February fixture list, with Southampton at home, Bournemouth away, Leicester at home and finally a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, but if Arsenal play anything like our top level we could easily take maximum points and so getting the likes of Ozil and Alexis Sanchez this weekend was a big plus point and the return to full training of Francis Coquelin is another massive boost.
Man City have Sunderland away, Leicester and Tottenham at home and Newcastle away. Leicester have Liverpool at home, Man City and Arsenal away and then Norwich at home. The spuds have Norwich away, Watford at home, Man City away and Swansea at home.
It looks like being an interesting and pivotal month but will Arsenal be able to make it a perfect one and will that help to secure the title?