Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte spoke of his concerns around his squad's fitness as he prepares his side to face Arsenal in one of the most anticipated North London derbies in many years on Saturday.
The Italian struck a cautious tone in his pre-match press conference, warning of Arsenal's strengths as a "really good team," as well as praising opposition manager Mikel Arteta, describing him as a "really good coach".
However, he noted that with this next period of games up until the break for the World Cup coming thick and fast, including many midweek outings, only now will each club's squad depth truly be tested.
"To play 13 games in 32 days is crazy," the 53-year-old said. "It is crazy and for sure we have to face [it] with injuries. I always say in this period you understand which squad is really competitive.
"When you go to play every three days, you face players that have injuries, that are tired, and then this is the moment that you understand which are the title contenders or the team that is competitive to play for the Champions League."
Talking of title contenders, this will be the first time in a number of years that a North London derby has come with the added prize of the victors going top of the table, in addition to the pride at winning against arch rivals.
Conte dismissed the notion that being top at such an early stage of the season will prove important, particularly when all of the top teams are still relatively bunched together when looking at the current standings.
Asked specifically about Arsenal's position, he said: "For sure Arsenal had a fantastic start and they lost only one game against [Manchester] United. They are showing to be a really good team.
"I think that in the summer they made really good signings for them and improved the team that ... last season in the last three games ... were four points up from us so it means we are talking about a really good team that in the last season we did a really good job to overcome them [and finish above them].
"We know that Arsenal are one of the six teams that try to take the best position in the Premier League."
The Spurs boss was also asked about the team news ahead of the weekend, but remained tight-lipped about specific absences, in his desire not to "give any advantage to Arsenal".
Describing his team's fitness issues, he said, "For sure we have to face some problems, some physical problems. We have to try to make the best solution and to try not to take big risks because if we take big risks and lose players for the rest of the games, it will be a disaster.
"I repeat to play every three days I need to count on the whole squad and we try with the players to also make the best decision."
"It's all about emotion"
As for the manager of the home side, Mikel Arteta confessed that he was excited at the prospect of such a mouth-watering London derby, especially with the respective positions of each of the teams in the league table.
"I just think it's all about emotion and willingness to get to that moment and have enjoyment," revealed the manager. "It's the nicest game of the season by a mile, for what it means to our supporters, for the history of it.
"And now as well, because looking at the table and where both teams want to be, it becomes a really important match. I think the word is excitement."
While he is evidently looking forward to the game, he was keen to note that it would not be an easy one, both because of the rivalry between the teams, as well as the form Tottenham have been in at the start of this campaign.
Antonio Conte's side are yet to lose domestically so far - with Manchester City the only other team to have achieved such a feat - and Arteta was full of praise for the work his opposite number has done.
When questioned on the start Spurs have made, he said: "Not only the start, but the journey they have been on since Antonio [Conte] joined and how things have changed and the team that he's building.
"They have a very clear identity in the way they are playing and it's been really impressive. We know that both teams expect a really tough match tomorrow."
Finally, Arteta also commented on how busy the fixture schedule was set to be in the time between now and the beginning of the World Cup in November, making clear that he accepted there was a challenge for all teams.
"We have to go game by game and then form and performances, plus how the players are mentally and physically, will dictate how we use them, but for sure we are going to need everyone" admitted Arteta.
"The schedule is hectic and very demanding and we need to think carefully about how we use and load the players."