Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal will put their traditional November niggle behind them as they look to catch Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

The second-placed Gunners are five points behind the Blues at the summit with a game in hand and face their London rivals at the end of this month.

But Wenger is acutely aware November has been a frustrating time during his tenure, which began in September 1996.

Arsenal have started the month well with 4-1 wins - over AZ Alkmaar and Wolves - but the 60-year-old manager knows further tests await in what is often a difficult period for the Gunners, who are currently unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions.

"Traditionally November has not been a good month for us," said Wenger.

"But I explain that by the fact we had more injuries - it is the first period when they kick in.

"It depends on the fixtures too - you can have two or three difficult games in November. You have decisive games in the Champions League and the players go on international duty.

"Now we have that break and all the players fly away so let's hope they all fly back in good shape.

"After that we go to Sunderland (on November 21) and that is always a difficult place to go."

Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere hopes to rekindle his Carling Cup dreams in the quarter-final showdown at Manchester City - the last team to beat the Gunners, winning 4-2 at Eastlands on September 12 - on December 2.

The 17-year-old has become a major part of Wenger's young team in the competition but, after helping Arsenal beat West Brom in the third round, he was forced to sit out the fourth round victory over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium with an ankle problem.

"I picked up my injury in training but I should be back for the Manchester City game," Wilshere told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com.

"It was frustrating to miss the Liverpool game but it was good to see players like Craig Eastmond come into the side and do well.

"If people are injured there are always youngsters who can step up and do a job."

Wilshere hopes City field their strongest side in the last eight of the competition as Arsenal's youngsters seek another notable scalp.

"It will be good to play against Manchester City and I hope they play a full team," he added.

"We will go there and believe we can win and hopefully we can.

"I think now we are into the last eight it is realistic for us to win the trophy.

"I think we can beat Manchester City and if we do then the competition will be wide open. We can go all the way."