Arsenal aim to top the Premiership tree by beating Newcastle at Highbury tonight when they kick off a three-match Christmas programme which could have a major bearing on the most congested and exciting title race for years.
Manager Arsene Wenger admitted: "We are desperate to win it this season." Wenger, whose team face current leaders Liverpool next Sunday at Anfield - where they have not won during his five-year reign - and then Chelsea at Highbury on St Stephen's Day, is even prepared to go teetotal to achieve his aim.
Asked whether he would prefer a case of his favourite Bordeaux red for the festive period or three victories Wenger insisted: "It is no contest. I'd drink only water for two years if I could guarantee nine points."
Just six points cover the top eight teams in the Premiership and resurgent Newcastle will go top themselves if they win by two clear goals or more.
On the form book that is unlikely as it is 29 games since they have won anywhere in London, but Wenger insisted: "Newcastle have certainly come right into it, along with Chelsea, and you just can't say at the moment who are your biggest challengers.
"It is a huge match for us at Liverpool on Sunday, but at the moment it is only Newcastle who occupy our thoughts. Liverpool and Leeds are still strong despite losing points at the weekend and Manchester United, as I've said before, are certainly not out of it.
"It is hard to say how many matches you can afford to lose if you want to become champions but I think 75 points will do it this time, and in the last few years you have needed 80 to do it."
Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri still insists his team cannot win the championship despite their 4-0 beating of Liverpool on Sunday and Alex Ferguson is on record as virtually ruling out his side.
But Wenger said: "We are not so naive to believe they mean it. And we are happy to tell the truth because we have a strong belief. We are up for it and highly-motivated. And I sense a feeling among the players that they are desperate to do it this time."
Wenger and his men are sick of finishing second, having been runners up behind Manchester United every season since winning the League and FA Cup double in 1998.
But Wenger warned: "It will be tougher than ever to finish top because so many teams are involved, but that is what makes the Premiership so interesting. I'm not moaning about that. There is no extra pressure in going to the top at this stage.
"The only pressure is to perform from game to game and we are now coming up to a vital period for us. But we have had that before when we faced Manchester United, Juventus and Aston Villa all in a row. Winning all those gave us back a great deal of strength and helps my belief that we can do the same this time."
Wenger is likely to have Ray Parlour back in midfield after a groin injury kept him out of the 1-1 draw at West Ham on Saturday. French ace Robert Pires should also be fit despite limping off at Upton Park with a calf injury in the draw that extended Arsenal's unbeaten away run in the Premiership to nine games.
Arsenal's £6 million sterling goalkeeper Richard Wright could be considered for the Liverpool game if he comes through a specially-arranged practice match against Peterborough United on Thursday night.
Wright has missed the last seven matches through a knee injury and with David Seaman out until mid-January after a shoulder operation, Arsenal have had to turn to their third choice, 21-year-old Stuart Taylor.
Skipper Tony Adams, out since December 29th when Arsenal were last top of the Premiership following surgery to repair a stress fracture to his foot, is also due to start his comeback on Thursday after a knee strain delayed his planned return against West Ham reserves at Barnet last night.
The former England centre-back could still return to first-team action against Chelsea on St Stephen's Day or the following Saturday's home clash with Middlesbrough. Wenger said: "His all-round fitness is very good and the knee problem is just a slight niggle."
