Wenger - We are ready to step up in this difficult period

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has claimed that while he is glad November is over, his squad are ready to step up to the plate and the challenge of the tricky December fixture list.

The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs all picked up injuries during the 11th month, with some set to be out for longer than others.

Alexis will likely be out for at least three weeks after straining his hamstring, while damaged knee ligaments will keep ex-Charlton loanee Coquelin out for roughly three months – a huge blow. Santi Cazorla could be out for longer than any of his teammates, with four months the reported injury period, although nothing has been confirmed yet.

Good news comes in the form of Koscielny and Gibbs, who both look fit to return on Saturday afternoon against Sunderland.

Wenger, however, believes that despite the injuries, Arsenal are ready to step up to the challenge.

Yes [I’m glad November is over] because in the last couple of weeks we lost Francis, Alexis and Santi – basically three players in two games.

That is of course too much, but hopefully we now have Theo not too far away, and Koscielny coming back too.

I believe first of all it’s always a disappointment to lose the players at an important moment of the season. But on the other hand, it’s a great challenge to take for the team and a great opportunity to show that we are ready for a fight and we can deal with it.

We prepared ourselves to go through periods like that, and I’m convinced the players are ready.