JUST IN: Arsenal BEST player substained a dangerous injury in international duty set to miss the rest of the season
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta must decide whether to start Raheem Sterling in the north London derby after being hit with a nightmare setback ahead of the trip to Tottenham next Sunday.
The Gunners will be without the suspended Declan Rice following his red card against Brighton last time out, while summer signing Mikel Merino is sidelined until mid-October after fracturing his shoulder during his first training session with the club.
Arteta is also sweating on the fitness of Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, who has missed the last two Premier League matches with a groin injury.
And the Spaniard will be desperate to come up with the perfect solution after guiding his side to two wins and a draw in their opening three matches.
Arsenal landed Sterling on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the final moments of the summer transfer window. The England forward had become surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge but wasn’t registered in time for Arsenal’s clash with Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta could turn to Sterling for the short trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his side aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
And, according to GIVEMESPORT, the boss is toying with the idea of dropping Kai Havertz into midfield and allowing Sterling to lead the attack.
Sterling is said to be willing to do whatever it takes to succeed in his new surroundings and is confident of producing the goods wherever he plays. The 29-year-old is determined to contribute in the final third of the pitch and is adamant that he is capable of breaking into the forefront of Arteta’s plans.
