For the first time in his career, Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is about to experience the busy December-January period of English football.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, the Morocco International confessed it will be strange as games are so close to each other that players will have very little time to rest. The 26-year old added how the key is to manage the physical condition properly as he explained manager Arsene Wenger will surely take full advantage of a big squad to rotate when required.

The striker also believes how the team who manages its stamina in the best possible way will gain advantage during such an intense period which will see the Gunners compete in the English Premier League, Carling Cup and also the F.A. Cup.

The Gunners start today against Chelsea a period which will see them play nine games in less than 30 days including tough games away at Wigan on Wednesday and a tricky home game at the Emirates against Manchester City.

Ahead of this month, Chamakh said:

[Playing so much during Christmas] will be a bit strange for me. Firstly because you play during the festive period and second because the games are being played so soon after each other. So I’ll be like a little kid who discovers this for the first time.

I think the main factor will be how to manage our physical condition, we’re lucky to have a very large squad but lots of talent so I think the manager can rely on this and swap players around if needs be. So the team who manages its stamina the best will gain the most points during this intense period.