Report: Arsenal make special preparations to ensure key player faces Spurs

According to The Standard, Raheem Sterling is now stepping up individual training in an effort to be 100 per cent fit for the North London Derby.

The North London Derby

The derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15 now holds even more significance for the two sides, who both failed to win their fixtures over the weekend, with the Lilywhites falling to a 2-1 loss to Newcastle while the Gunners were held to a draw by Brighton.

Mikel Arteta will be without Declan Rice for the big game after the midfielder was sent off in the 1-1 draw against the Seagulls.

However, Sterling, who completed a deadline-day move to the Emirates against Stamford Bridge, is potentially in line to make his debut against Spurs.

Raheem Sterling is stepping up his training

It has now been reported by The Standard that the Arsenal newcomer is not as fit as the rest of his teammates as he had been frozen out of pre-season preparations by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

The 29-year-old is thus working on his own with the fitness coaches in the Arsenal training ground with the aim of reaching peak fitness ahead of the trip to Tottenham.

Arteta has already rotated the left-wing position this season between Martinelli and Trossard, so Sterling may have an eye on making the role his own.

Spurs Web Opinion

It doesn’t matter if it is Sterling, Trossard or Martinelli starts for Arsenal, with Tottenham’s defenders likely to be tested severely.

However, the Spurs players will be looking forward to this game as a win against the old enemy will get the fans back onside and will send out a real statement.

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