Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal plan to get Raheem Sterling ready for quick debut as Tottenham and Man City loom | OneFootball

New Gunners loanee may need time to get up to speed after Chelsea exile this season

Mikel Arteta hopes Arsenal can use the upcoming international break to get Raheem Sterling up to speed so he can make his debut in the north London derby against Tottenham.

Sterling joined Arsenal from Chelsea in the early hours of Saturday morning following transfer deadline day, arriving on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The winger could take time to get up to full fitness, though, as he has not played any competitive minutes for Chelsea this season.

Sterling was frozen out at Stamford Bridge by new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and had his squad number taken off him.

New arrival: Raheem Sterling watched Arsenal’s Premier League draw with Brighton from the stands

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The 29-year-old has not been called up by interim England boss Lee Carsley for opening Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland and it means he can work with Arsenal in the hope of making his debut next month.

The Gunners are back in action then when they make the short trip to meet fierce rivals Tottenham on September 15, with a huge visit to Manchester City to follow after their Champions League opener against Atalanta in Italy.

And asked about getting Sterling up to speed for that, Arteta said: “We have to see him, speak to him (about) what he’s been doing and how he’s feeling about it.

“And try to find quick wins to get him up to speed as quickly as possible and for him to understand what we are looking for from him in the dynamics of the team. We will use that time to do that and get him involved as soon as possible.”