Raheem Sterling will make his Arsenal debut at Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday (4pm BST), Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has said.
Former England forward Sterling joined Arsenal from Chelsea on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, ending a brief period of exile at his parent club following his surprise omission from their first-team squad to start the season.
“He looks great,” said Arteta. “He’s got a big smile on his face and a lot of energy. He’s at it and wants to prove a point. When someone’s got that in his belly, you sense that straight away.
“We don’t need to discover anything about his quality and what he can bring to the team. What I see is hunger: a player who wants to play every minute of every day.”
For THAT reflex stop against Aston Villa, David Raya has won the August Save of the Month award! 🧤 #PLAwards | @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/zGvmCrDZsH
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 13, 2024
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Arsenal vs Tottenham team news
“When he doesn’t play, he’s not happy,” added Arteta. “His commitment, the level of energy and quality that he’s bringing to the team, is a big boost.
“You can feel it in the players, as well. When he’s walking through the door, we are better with him; he’s going to make us better. He has that intuition, that will… I’m sure he’s going to impact the team.”
Arteta has concerns in midfield after Martin Odegaard sustained an injury while playing for Norway, although the Spaniard did not rule his captain out of the derby, saying more tests are needed on his ankle.
Declan Rice is suspended because of his dismissal against Brighton & Hove Albion and full-backs Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out, while new midfield signing Mikel Merino is not available but making progress in his recovery from a shoulder issue.
Defender Riccardo Calafiori will have a calf injury assessed and forward Gabriel Jesus has returned to training and is on course to be in contention.
Mikel Arteta has overseen constant progress as @Arsenal manager ⬆️
Will they go one better this season…? pic.twitter.com/u9BV6MzZUV
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 12, 2024
Arteta contract
Arteta signed a new three-year contract on Thursday, committing the 42-year-old to the club until 2027. “I was never going to leave Arsenal for any other club or country,” he said.
“This is my emotional attachment that I have, that my family and kids have. The experience that I have, the moment with the people. It’s too strong.”
Arsenal have taken seven points from their first nine, putting them two points behind joint leaders Liverpool and Manchester City.
