Raheem Sterling, Arsenal’s last-minute acquisition on deadline day, was notably absent from the squad during their 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium. The England international joined Arsenal on a season-long loan in the final hours of the transfer window, following his exclusion from Chelsea’s plans under manager Enzo Maresca.
Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, Arsenal fans will have to wait until after the international break to see Sterling in action. In the meantime, Arsenal star winger, Bukayo Saka, has expressed his confidence in the new signing’s potential impact.
Speaking after the match, Saka praised Sterling’s experience and talent, saying, “Great signing for us, I am really happy to have him here. I am sure he will do amazing for us.” Saka’s comments came during his post-match interview on BBC Sport’s Match of the Day.
Reflecting on the match, Bukayo Saka acknowledged that a draw wasn’t the worst outcome given the circumstances. Arsenal went down to ten men after Declan Rice received a red card, making it difficult to secure all three points against a resilient Brighton side. “We can take it both ways,” Saka said. “We had chances to win the game but going down to 10 men against Brighton is difficult.”
The sending-off of Declan Rice has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. Rice received his second yellow card for obstructing Brighton defender Joel Veltman, an incident that many, including football analyst Ally McCoist, believe was a harsh decision. Rice’s dismissal left Arsenal with ten men for a significant portion of the match, which proved to be a turning point.
Arsenal’s draw against Brighton marks their first dropped points of the new Premier League season. With challenging fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City looming after the international break, the Gunners might rue the missed opportunity to secure a win.
As Arsenal prepares for these crucial matches, fans are eagerly anticipating when Sterling will make his debut. The North London derby against Tottenham would be a fitting stage for the 28-year-old to make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt. However, manager Mikel Arteta might opt for a more cautious approach, potentially giving Sterling his first minutes in the EFL Cup clash against Bolton, allowing him to ease into the squad.
Either way, Sterling’s arrival has injected new excitement into Arsenal’s campaign, and his debut is keenly awaited by both fans and teammates alike.
