Those connected to Arsenal will have everything crossed during the international break in the hope that nothing derails their pursuit of the Premier League trophy.
After comfortably dispatching Crystal Palace 4-1 at the weekend, the Gunners opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the table - albeit having played one game more than Manchester City - and are now within eight more victories of being crowned champions of England for the first time since the 2003/04 season.
But among many factors that could derail Arsenal's momentum when domestic action resumes on April 1 is, of course, injuries. It's unclear as to how long William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be sidelined after both defenders limped off against Sporting CP last week, whilst there is hope that Eddie Nketiah can return soon after an ankle problem.
READ MORE: 'He's coming!' - Jude Bellingham to Arsenal transfer theory emerges as Ramsdale's role revealed
Furthermore, Mikel Arteta has revealed his one demand for the 14 senior players selected to represent their respective national teams: "That they [the international players] really look after themselves in this period," the Spaniard told reporters after the win over Crystal Palace.
"We will look after the players that are with us here. That they come back with the same mindset and hunger from before to go into Leeds, which is the only important game right now. We know it."
Among the Arsenal stars called up for international duty, Bukayo Saka - along with Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard - is someone that supporters will be hoping is wrapped up in cotton wool so that he's raring to go against Leeds United a week on Sunday.
With that said, the 21-year-old may have another assignment in this international window in addition to ensuring he stays healthy and it involves a Gunners transfer target ahead of what is expected to be a busy, yet exciting, summer for Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar.
Footage has emerged of Saka arriving at St. George's Park and one of the first players he meets is West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. football.london understands the midfielder is a target for Arsenal this summer and that there is optimism a deal can be done despite the club's transfer policy of not being dragged into a bidding war, nor overpaying for players.
After briefly joking that Saka is now an A-list celebrity after being on FaceTime with media personality Kim Kardashian last week, Rice gets up to embrace the winger and this moment triggered a response from a Gunners supporter on Twitter which read: "Bring Rice to the carpet."
As the Three Lions have Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this week, it remains to be seen if Saka is able to work his magic just like he did with Aaron Ramsdale a couple of years ago, but it's worth remembering that the north London outfit are on course to meet Rice's one condition for a transfer.
"100% I want to play in the Champions League," he said, as per the Guardian in December 2022. "For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that. I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies.
"You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in."
Now on 69 points after beating Crystal Palace, if last season is any indicator with regard to the total needed for Champions League qualification then as things stand, Arsenal are one point away from confirming their return to Europe's top table for the 2023/24 campaign.
READ NEXT:
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal get last laugh over Antonio Conte as Tottenham make major sack decision
Mikel Arteta warned Man United could complete £190m Arsenal transfer raid after Qatar takeover
Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and the Arsenal players Mikel Arteta will work with in training
Edu faces £100m transfer obstacle to sign Arsenal's next Bukayo Saka as Napoli set huge demand
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
