The centre-back, who made his 200th Premier League appearance for the club during our recent trip to Arsenal, is wary of the threat posed by this weekend’s visitors, Watford, who are eighth in the table and have also reached the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals under their impressive Spanish manager Javi Gracia.

“They’re a proven Premier League team that is always difficult,” acknowledged the 29-year-old. “Obviously, earlier in the season we were in a different moment, but that was a close game that eventually we won comfortably [Watford were beaten 2-1 at Vicarage Road in September].

“But they’ve got a lot of threats and like to play direct with [Troy] Deeney, and they’ve got some good wingers as well, so we know it’s going to be a tough game. But when we’re at home, we need to get on the front foot and take control.