Arsene Wenger has challenged his young Arsenal side to finally come of age in 2011 and bring silverware to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners head to Birmingham for the New Year's Day late kick-off looking to keep within striking distance of Premier League leaders Manchester United.
They could have already drawn level at the top of the table had they not thrown away two points against 10-man Wigan on Wednesday night.
Indeed, Arsenal would have been clear at the summit but for home defeats to West Brom, Newcastle and arch-rivals Tottenham in an inconsistent first half of the campaign which also saw them record a first win over Chelsea in six attempts.
Yet with his team in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, where they will face Championship club Ipswich, and also set for a mouthwatering Champions League tie against Barcelona, Wenger maintains there are plenty of positives ahead.
"Every single defeat of 2010 is still very painful in my heart and I hope that 2011 will be much less painful," said the Arsenal manager, whose side last won a trophy in 2005.
"I feel that we are on a good track, we are in a strong position.
"We have always been strong mentally, but we have not been as mature as we are now.
"I think we have courage, intelligence and talent in the squad. To be capable of putting these three ingredients together in every single game will be decisive."
Wenger continued: "I feel the team is really on the right track on the belief, on the quality of our game.
"We have made huge improvements and there is a lot more to come from this team."
Arsenal host Manchester City - who started the year in second place, but having played two matches more - on January 5, by which time the big-spending Eastlands outfit could have further strengthened their squad.
Wenger, though, rejected the notion it was United who were now firmly in the driving seat.
"It is Arsenal's title to win. We have to go on a run and be consistent," Wenger declared when asked whether the championship was United's to throw away.
"The only thing we have learnt from this first six months is that the team who will be the most consistent, with great emotional stamina and resolve will win it.
"It could be the league of the mentally strong.
"It is a league with a lot of ups and downs and the teams who deal the best with that will certainly win it."
Wenger claims Arsenal are "not close to signing anybody", with the Gunners boss ruling out a January move for former England captain David Beckham, while confirming Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey would return from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest and Mexico striker Carlos Vela could be farmed out to get some games.
Meanwhile, young centre-back Havard Nordtveit will join Borussia Monchengladbach in a permanent deal.
