If he is out for 2 weeks Adams would miss the derby match at home to Tottenham on the 19th, as well as the Deportivo game this week, the UEFA Cup quarter-final next week, and a trip to Middlebrough at the weekend.

While Keown and Grimandi would be available (touch wood) for most of these, the Southampton game showed that however well those 2 are playing, Adams give us a little bit extra. His leadership would be sorely missed against Tottenham.

But first things first. If Adams is not fit for Thursday, and Keown and Grimandi are both suspended, who is going to play at centre back? Luzhny and Weston? Winterburn? Deportivo are going to have to go all out for goals and this news is going to be very encouraging for them. But Arsenal will presumably not be planning simply to defend. With the Spaniards having to attack, the pace of Henry and Overmars should bag us a couple of goals on the break. And Dixon's bound to score at least one.