Here is a revealing quote from Arsene Wenger, particularly with regard to the change in style he has adopted for games against other top teams in the division...

"Possession is not rewarded like it was before. It doesn't give you the win as much."  

"Bare bones" is a phrase being used regularly with Arsenal at the moment. And it doesn't look like their injury problems are clearing up just yet.

"We have nobody coming back. It is the same players available," manager Arsene Wenger tells the press.

Mind you, the way they've been playing of late, that shouldn't be a problem.  

Image source, Getty Images

Some interesting stuff from Petr Cech, who has been talking to BBC's Football Focus show.

He reckons Arsenal are set up to win the Premier League title this season, saying: "The squad is very strong and once we have everybody available, the manager can use every player the way he likes.

"That will be to our advantage and we'll be able to go all the way."

Arsene Wenger's side are two points behind leaders Leicester and have lost only once in 11 league games.

The manager, incidentally, is about to start talking to the media ahead of their Boxing Day clash at Southampton. In fact he just has, we'll bring you what he says right now...

There has been drama at an Alpine slalom race in Italy, where the defending World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher narrowly avoided being hit by a drone.

The Austrian was on his second run when a drone carrying a camera crashed onto the slope centimetres behind him.

Image source, Getty Images

"This is horrible," said Hirscher, 26. "This can never happen again. This can be a serious injury."

Despite the incident, Hirscher finished in second place at the event, 1.25 seconds behind Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen.

Right then, it's Christmas. As you might have noticed. And as this is the last Sportsday until the new year we want to know this ... What are your favourite sporting Christmas memories?

Image source, Getty Images

Have you ever run into any sports people on their Christmas do? What are your best memories of watching sport over the festive period? What are you looking forward to over Christmas? What's the furthest you've travelled on Boxing Day? Or are you just a miserable so-and-so who sits at home and does nothing?

Let us know now at #bbcsportsday ... we'll publish the best.

Cardiff Blues have signed Ulster number eight Nick Williams for the 2016-17 season.

The 32-year-old New Zealand-born back-rower is an explosive ball carrier and has also spent time with Munster and Aironi since moving to Europe in 2008.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Everton midfielder Peter Reid has been talking to BBC Radio 5 live about newspaper reports, external of a possible £200m American takeover.

“It’s my club and Goodison Park - as much as I love it, I think Everton need a new football ground," he said. 

"I think we've got a great squad of players and a good manager but we need to get a new stadium to keep pace with the other clubs in this Premier League. 

"You need the revenue that generates. If Bill Kenwright says it's OK - yes let's get it done."

You're probably already sick of Christmas given how often we've mentioned it so far this morning, but on the off-chance you're not...

Remember this? Dan Walker, introducing the 'Football Ding Dong' - a special festive football-based Christmas carol penned by the Footie Focus host himself.

Performed by Manchester-based choir The Knott Singers live on the show 12 months ago, the song replaces the lyrics of 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' with the names of famous footballers.

Football Focus, by the way, is back at 12:10 GMT on Saturday 27 December on BBC One, this website and Connected TV.  

To the serious stuff - the match against Swansea, which, given the form the Swans are in at the moment (not to mention the fact they still haven't got a manager), must be viewed as a decent chance to pick up three points.

"We have two games in three days over Christmas, so we will definitely rotate the squad," said Pulis, whose team host Newcastle two days after the Swansea game.

"Swansea are a very good team and going down there is never easy."

Shouldn't have said that. With apologies to Tony, we've been sent this. 

Image source, BBC Sport

Tony Pulis is in Chistmas mood. He's positively brimming with the festive spirit.

"I love Christmas," he tells reporters.

"It's an occasion to be with your family. It's a special time. The lads will have time with family."

Aw, lovely. If only Tony was wearing a Santa Claus outfit, life would be complete.

It's TP. Standing up, obviously.

Last word from Eddie Howe before he departs the scene.

"We're keeping a level head going into our next match. Our next thought is always our next training session and match," he tells the press. Not his most exciting statement, but it's early so we'll forgive him.

"It's an exciting game for us because we are back at home and in front of our own supporters at Christmas."

And with that, he's off. Next to the Midlands...

Rob Nothman
BBC Sport at the Emirates

Image source, BBC Sport

Reasons to be cheerful for Arsene Wenger. Four wins in a row, and storm clouds hovering over many of his rivals.

His Arsenal team are at Southampton on Boxing Day hoping to erase the memory of a costly defeat at St Mary's last season.

Eddie Howe has warm words about Palace. Then again managers usually do about other clubs, don't they? It would be much more interesting if they just slagged each other off. Alas, it's all very polite.

"We very much respect Crystal Palace and the work that Alan Pardew has done there. They will prove a tough test," says Howe.

"They're a club that we look at and would like to emulate. They are run very well and now stable in the Premier League."

Image source, Getty Images

Without further ado then, straight to the south coast, where Eddie Howe is holding court in front of a large group of journalists.

Tough home game against in-form Palace on Boxing Day but after successive wins against West Brom, Manchester United and Chelsea - plus two draws before that (in fact they've not lost since 7 November) - they aren't in bad form themselves.

"We are certainly enjoying our best spell in the Premier League, but the challenge to keep it going is very difficult," said Howe.

His Cherries side, by the way, are 14th in the table, four points above the drop zone... and 12 points better off than bottom club Villa.

Image source, Getty Images

The Chelsea and Manchester United news conferences should, in particular, be interesting.

Guus Hiddink will be talking for the first time since replacing Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

And over at Old Trafford, well we don't need to tell you why Louis van Gaal's will be one to watch.

As ever, we'll bring you the best coverage of both of them.

Image source, Getty Images

That's the papers done and dusted. But what's in store for the remainder of the day, we hear you cry?

Well, it's a bloomin' busy one considering it's only two days still Christmas, with 11 Premier League managers talking to the media.

Here's who's up and when. In fact one's already started...

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth (08:00 GMT); West Brom (08:30); Arsenal (09:00); West Ham (09:30); Tottenham (12:30)

Chelsea (12:30); Man City (12:45); Norwich (13:00); Swansea (14:00); Sunderland (14:00); Man Utd (15:30)

Image source, The Guardian

If Louis van Gaal buys one paper today, he should make it the Guardian. He doesn't even get a mention. Lord, it's a miracle. Then again, he probably does inside...