Could Spurs’ Jan Vertonghen be tempting fate with his latest comments about Arsenal?

The first North London Derby of the season takes place on Sunday at midday at the Emirates and it’s arguably one of the biggest we’ve had for years.

Although this is usually said every single season, this term it definitely feels different. Not only are that lot from White Hart Lane breathing down our necks in the Premier League table with a win bringing them level, but the title race is already congested with Manchester City, Liverpool and us all with the same amount of points.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Jan Vertonghen passes the ball during a Tottenham Hotspur training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group E match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on November 1, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 01: Jan Vertonghen passes the ball during a Tottenham Hotspur training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group E match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on November 1, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

It’s tight and any slip up against Spurs could see us drop right out of the top four.

Likewise, if Spurs lose that leaves them six points behind the league leaders and gives Everton a chance to hop over them into fifth.

That’s why Vertonghen’s comments, claiming that his team usually play well against teams like us, seem a little bit risky to me.

“Normally we do well against teams like that. It will be a very intense game, with both teams playing positive, attacking football,” the defender said.

Hmm. We’ll see.

Indeed, they did do well against Manchester City but I wouldn’t count Arsenal out so readily.