“I was very bullish last time; I ain’t sure this time" - Paul Merson previews Tottenham vs Arsenal PL clash
Former Aston Villa attacker Paul Merson has previewed Arsenal's Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15 for the first North London derby of the season.
Mikel Arteta's side made a good start to the new season, winning their first two games without conceding, a first in 52 years. However, the 10-man Gunners split points in a 1-1 home draw with Brighton & Albion, who also ended their perfect start with the stalemate.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou's Spurs have had a slow start to their campaign, winning only one of their three games, losing one. Previewing their upcoming clash against the Gunners, Merson told Sky Sports News (via TBR):
“I was very bullish last time. I ain’t sure this time. Declan Rice is a big miss; it’s a big two games for Arsenal. If they don’t get four points out of their next two games, they will be right up against it, so it’s a big football match.
He reckons Arteta's side cannot afford any more slip-ups, which could potentially put them several points behind four-time defending champions Manchester City:
“I don’t think the fixtures have been kind for Arsenal at the start of the season, I know they sort of settle their way in the end, but you don’t want to be playing catch-up with Man City.
"If they don’t win this game and then they get beat by Man City, they could be seven, eight, nine points behind City, and that would be miles too many.”
Declan Rice will be suspended for the Spurs game after getting sent off in the Brighton draw last week.
"He's a top guy" - Raheem Sterling waxes lyrical of Arsenal boss
Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling - who has joined Arsenal on loan for the season - is happy to be reunited with Mikel Arteta. The duo worked together at Manchester City, Sterling's former club, where Arteta was the assistant coach.
After being deemed surplus to requirements by new Blues boss Enzo Maresca as he set up trimming his bloated squad, Sterling moved cross-town to the Gunners, albeit temporarily.
"He is a top guy, a top character," Sterling said about Arteta (as per the BBC). "I have been watching his journey because I spent some time with him at Manchester City.
"To see him come here and stamp his mark on this amazing football club, with this amazing history, it says a lot about him and the great job he is doing here."
The Englishman is coming off an underwhelming two-season spell at Chelsea since arriving from City.