Raheem Sterling has stated that ‘everyone in the public can see’ that Arsenal have made a ‘great start to the season’ and how Mikel Arteta has got them playing ‘beautiful stuff’, as he told Premier League Productions (31/10/22 at 2:10 pm).
The England international added that Chelsea’s home clash against the Premier League leaders on Sunday is going to be an ‘interesting one’ because both teams like to play possession-based football.
Chelsea were battered 4-0 at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, whilst 24 hours later, Arsenal thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0.
Last season, as Mikel Arteta watched his team miss out on Champions League football, then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel guided his team to a comfortable third-placed finish, despite the drama surrounding the ownership off the field.
But the tables have turned during this campaign, with Arsenal only dropping points in two league games, whilst their London rivals have suffered three losses from their 12 matches and are sitting in sixth under new boss, Graham Potter.
Nonetheless, when Highbury legend Ian Wright asked Raheem Sterling what people are saying about Arsenal this season, the Chelsea winger issued the following response.
“Everyone in the public can see that they have had a great start to the season,” said Sterling. “They are playing some beautiful stuff. They are a team that have been building for a few years now.
“That’s what we are looking to do, to keep building and it’s a game that will be a really interesting one. They are a possession-dominant team, and so are we ourselves. I think it will be a good match.
Ian Wright then tells Sterling, he always scores against Arsenal (He has eight goals against the Gunners): “It’s a team I always score against? It’s a team where I can hopefully break this duck against. Nah, I am joking. The way they are playing. They are playing beautiful stuff. Mikel (Arteta) has got them playing some free-flowing football, that’s for sure.”
TOUGHER TEST THAN TOTTENHAM AND LIVERPOOL
Beating the above two sides this season was a statement of intent from Arteta and his players, but beating Chelsea would be bigger, especially given that it would be on the road.
Yes, they have just come off the back of a heavy defeat, but those issues have been away from home and not at Stamford Bridge.
Like last season, if Arsenal can secure all three points, then it would just be another marker for this young, ever-progressing and attacking Arsenal side that is chasing Manchester City for the title.
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