As the month begins, I am invited for a chat with Mr. Hill-Wood to discuss my current performance. He is not a happy man, he says that our goal scoring exploits against European also-rans does not hide the fact that it has been a disappointing start to the campaign. He made it abundantly clear that he wants to see major improvements over the next month, in line with his expectations.

We got off to a good start, with the team putting in a strong performance against Reading at the Emirates. Having gone behind early on, we showed character in coming back to win 5-1. With three goals in second half injury time adding some gloss to the score line.

Historically not a happy hunting ground, our trip to the Reebok Stadium saw us overcome the sending off of Maldini to win the game 2-1, with goals from Recoba and Totti.

Having stressed to my players the importance of a successful European campaign, they rewarded me with a comprehensive 3-0 win away at Benfica, with Rufete and Edmilson getting their first goals for the club. Three days later, and second placed Middlesbrough were the visitors. Despite taking a one goal lead, they were unable to match my resolute team, who ran riot winning the game 4-1. In the process, overtaking them to claim second place in the league, three points behind the early pace setters, Aston Villa.

We cruised into the fourth round of the League Cup, with a 4-0 victory at home against Wigan, with Palermo and Cordoba getting on the score sheet. The month ended with another impressive attacking display, as we dispatched of London rivals West Ham, 4-0. The match saw another brace from the prolific van Nistelrooy, taking his goal tally to 15 in 11 games.

What a difference a month makes. After a nervy start, we are now the form team in the division, having won all of our games in September. Mr. Hill-Wood has phoned to congratulate me on the teams amazing turnaround and even the fans are warming to me. The Football Association provided the icing on the cake as they named myself Manager of the Month, as well as giving the Player of the Month to van Nistelrooy.

The first game of the month saw Schalke travelling to the Emirates for the Champions League group stage clash. After an enthralling game, the two sides could not be separated, the match ending 3-3. It wasn’t the ideal result and it has brought our defensive frailties to the fore, something that will need to be worked on in training. However, we are still well placed in the group so I won’t be too hard on the players.

Next was a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to face an out of form Chelsea side, who were in thirteenth place. However, as always, form goes out of the window on derby day and Chelsea took all three points, courtesy of a heartbreaking 89^th minute winner from Wright-Phillips.

My team didn’t have long to recover from this deflating defeat, three days later Portsmouth visited the Emirates. We got back on track, with a 2-0 victory, the goals coming from Makaay and a Totti free kick.

The hectic schedule was beginning to have adverse affects on the fitness of some of my key players. So Vieira and Seedorf were both rested for the home Champions League match against Dinamo, to be replaced by Edmilson and Makaay. Dropping Totti into central midfield to accommodate Makaay up front turned out to be something of a tactical masterstroke on my part. He tore the hapless Romanians to shreds with his pin point passing, laying on two goals in a five goal rout.

This was followed by a laboured 2-0 victory away at Derby and the month ended with us easing into the League Cup quarter finals with a 4-0 victory against Championship leaders Cardiff, van Nistelrooy bagging a hat trick.

The team is really beginning to play well together, a fact that is not lost on the board and fans who are now very much in support of my managerial reign. We are benefiting from having a settled first team line up which allows our more talented players to perform to the best of their abilities.

As November begins, we complete a routine 2-0 home victory over Fulham. This is followed by a below par performance away at Dinamo. None the less, we won the game 2-1 and I was pleased with my players, telling them that the ability to win whilst not playing at their best was the hallmark of a great team.

However, cracks were beginning to show in the team, the likes of Vieira, Recoba and Rufete were suffering from a lack of fitness. Therefore me and my coaching staff felt it necessary to adjust their training regimes, focusing more on their fitness levels, so that they can play as many games as possible.

Unfortunately, this didn’t come in time for the away game against second bottom, Sunderland. My tired side put in a disappointing performance that saw the game end 1-1. It was an ideal time for the international breaks. Most of my players would now have a two week rest, to recharge their batteries, ahead of the visit of the champions, Manchester United.

It was vitally important that we took something from the game, United were in third, whilst we were in second place. It was a game in which my team really proved their title credentials, coming from 2-1 down, to win 3-2. Roy Makaay finally stepped out of the shadow of his strike partner, van Nistelrooy - scoring two goals and putting in a man of the match performance.

A month of inconsistent performances was typified by 1-1 home draw against Benfica in the penultimate game of the Champions League group stages. This now leaves us having to beat Schalke in the final game in order to top the group.

As the hectic Christmas period approaches, we travel to the JJB to take on lowly Wigan. The team are victorious, gaining a magnificent 4-1 victory.

This is followed by a massive game at the top of the table. At home to Aston Villa, we had the chance to go top for the first time this season. My players rose to the challenge brilliantly, dominating from start to finish, eventually winning the match 3-0.

However, there was know time to celebrate the victory, as we had to travel to Germany for the crunch Champions League tie, to determine who will top the group. Despite having the better of the game, my team couldn’t breach a resolute Schalke defence, the game ended 0-0, with us qualifying second in the group. Whilst this is disappointing, on current form we should not be fearing any team and will be the team to avoid when the draw is made.

The big games continue to come thick and fast. Three days later we are at Anfield, for a match against seventh placed Liverpool. We further enhanced our credentials as title challengers, picking up a 2-1 victory, with the influential Totti winning his crucial midfield battle with Gerrard. This result saw us go three points clear at the top of the table.

This was followed by a 6-1 demolition of Sunderland in the League Cup quarter finals, which saw van Nistelrooy bag another hat trick.

A few days after this match, the Champions League draw was made. We have been pitted against Dutch giants Ajax, in what is sure to be a keenly contested match. However, I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t relieved that we had avoided the bigger teams.

As the year comes to an end my team recorded three straight wins; 1-0 away at Manchester City and then back to back 3-0 victories over Blackburn and Everton. This saw us end the year with clear daylight between ourselves and the chasing pack, we are currently five points clear of Villa, in second place.

The board are delighted with my performance as manager, Mr. Hill-Wood says this is one of the best teams he has ever seen at Arsenal; one that plays with great attacking fervour, but more importantly, gets results. He says he is willing to give me extra transfer funds to ensure the club ends the season with some silverware. I am delighted with his offer - and then astounded when he reveals he will be giving me an extra 65 million! It looks like it is going to be a busy transfer window and exciting times ahead at Arsenal.