Arsenal are going to need quite a bit of luck to win the title and that could include seeing opposition players picking up injuries.

So far this season, Leicester City and Spurs have both managed to escape serious blows and fielded their strongest side or something close more often that not.

However, that could be about to change for our north London rivals.

Already without Jan Vertonghen in recent weeks, Spurs could have to play without defensive partner Toby Alderweireld next weekend. The centre-half hasn’t travelled to Portugal for Belgium’s friendly there because of an illness.

Belgium are also continuing to use Mousa Dembele, even though he has suffered pains in his ankle in training. The midfielder is taking injections to manage the pain but that’s a risky approach for him in the next few weeks – eventually he’ll have to recover from the pain, rather than just managing it, and will be desperate to be fully fit for Euro 2016.

Meanwhile, Erik Lamela has muscle problems and has missed some of Argentina’s training sessions, though he should be able to play against Bolivia. Whether or not that would be a risk remains to be seen but it will surely unsettle Mauricio Pochettino.

Spurs have a tough schedule coming up with Liverpool, Manchester United, Stoke City and Chelsea all to play in the next five weeks. If this is the door to leapfrog Spurs being left ajar, Arsenal need to take advantage.