LONDON - Arsene Wenger knows his Arsenal side are now entering a "decisive" stage of their Barclays Premier League title challenge - but warned the race "is far from won".
The Gunners, who drew 0-0 with Champions League holders AC Milan in midweek, could move eight points clear at the top of the table with victory at relegation battlers Birmingham tomorrow lunchtime, as Manchester United are not in action until the early evening kick-off when they travel to Newcastle.
There are 12 games - seven away from home - between Wenger's young side and a first championship since the Invincibles of 2003/2004.
However, with showdowns at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and the visit of both top-four challengers Liverpool and Everton to come, the Arsenal manager knows there is still plenty of football left before the champagne can be put on ice.
"From 12 to six games, it is a decisive period, where most of the teams still go for something," declared Wenger.
"I still feel in the last six games, some teams have less to go for, and sometimes the points are easier to take.
"Now you play a team that doesn't want to go down or you play a team that still aims for Europe, after, in April, it eases off a bit."
Wenger maintained: "It is our title to win. Why should we think it is our title to lose?
"We are in a good position, but it is far from won - a lot can happen until the end of the season.
"But I do not look at the run-in of the others because we just want to focus on our performances.
"We have earned the right to focus on our performances - that is the advantage we have compared to others."
It is certainly shaping up into an exciting climax to the campaign, with both United and Chelsea - now eight points back - determined to press the reborn Gunners all the way.
Wenger's side have so far silenced the pre-season critics who suggested his youngsters would struggle following the departure of talisman Thierry Henry to Barcelona in the summer.
With six wins from seven league games in 2008, Arsenal - the only top-flight side to have lost just once - have built up plenty of momentum, spearheaded by the goals of Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor.
"We have belief and we have shown consistency until now," said Wenger.
"There is still a long way to go, and we are in a period where every game can bring a quick turn, we have seen that recently - but we have put ourselves in a position where we can be relaxed and we can be focussed just on our own performances.
"Tomorrow is a difficult game because we have given a lot on Wednesday night and we want complete focus.
"We want to dig deep against Birmingham because it is a game where that will be needed."
Wenger certainly believes his current players have all the qualities needed to become champions, but insisted: "The difference is the other squads have done it and we have achieved nothing.
"I believe they will, 100% - but that is what I want to prove."
Arsenal must continue their title push without defender Kolo Toure, who - just back from the African Nations Cup - suffered a calf injury against Milan and is set to be out for around two weeks.
Winger Emmanuel Eboue is suspended after his red card in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United, so Theo Walcott could start at St Andrews.
Wenger has something of a selection poser in goal, with Manuel Almunia available again after being laid low with a hand injury and then a virus, leaving him with a choice between the Spaniard and veteran German Jens Lehmann.
The Arsenal manager, though, was giving little away.
"I will just have to make a choice and the decision will be made, don't worry," he said.
"I have made the decision, yes.
"It was not a difficult decision because I have made up my mind. A difficult decision is if you cannot make up your mind.
"However, it is a difficult decision if you consider the quality of the two goalkeepers because they have both done extremely well."
