Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he is worried about the number of injuries that his players are picking up as his side enters the busy winter period but gives defender Laurent Koscielny an "80 percent" chance of being fit for Sunday's derby against Tottenham.
Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have joined long-term absentees Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck in a crowded treatment room for recent games, with right-back Hector Bellerin definitely out of the weekend's game against Spurs and Koscienly a doubt.
Wenger is hopeful that Koscielny will return, but admits that he is growing more concerned with each extra injury.
"We might have Laurent Koscielny back but Hector Bellerin won't be available," Wenger said. "From one competition to the other. I believe in the Premier League we have a strong confidence and we want to reproduce it on Sunday against Tottenham.
"I'm very concerned [about the injuries]. Because we are only in November and we have so many players out. We go into the Christmas period and I am concerned.
"Because we have too many players out. I give Koscielny 80 percent. He will have a test tomorrow."
Wenger was also asked whether his side are confident about maintaining their run at the top of the Premier League table through the season.
"It's remarkable what my players have done. Now we want to take advantage and continue," he said.
"It is too early [to talk about a title challenge]. We want to be in the fight and will do absolutely everything to do it. With five or six games to go then maybe. I think we have a chance, but it's down to consistency."