For Marcos Alonso the objective is clear, we simply need to continue to win football matches in order to ensure the second half of the season is an enjoyable period for both players and supporters.

The Blues face a big London derby later today when we travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal, aiming to secure the victory which would take us nine points clear of the fifth-placed Gunners, establishing a healthy cushion at this stage of the campaign.

It was Alonso who scored the winner when the two teams met earlier in the season, the Spaniard sweeping home from an Eden Hazard cross late in the game to seal a 3-2 victory, and he explained what type of test he expects from Unai Emery’s side, who were beaten 1-0 at West Ham United a week ago.

‘They have had more work under the new manager [since our last meeting],’ said Alonso. ‘They’ve had some very good games, playing good football and creating a lot of chances, so we will have to defend very well and hopefully it will be a good game and we will get the three points.

‘The other teams are winning as well so we need to find a little bit more consistency to have a good run in the league and get closer to the top.’

