‘On the bench’: Sam Allardyce reckons £50m Arsenal player won’t start vs Tottenham

Arsenal face Tottenham this weekend in the north London derby, and it’s very difficult to predict how the Gunners will line-up for this one.

Indeed, Arsenal have a number of injury issues in their midfield, while it’s also tough to decipher how they will line up in the attack.

Kai Havertz may well be needed in the midfield, so that could lead to some sort of attacking reshuffle.

That may lead to an opportunity for Raheem Sterling to make his Arsenal debut in this game.

However, speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Sam Allardyce has claimed that he thinks Sterling will start this game on the bench.

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Raheem Sterling will be on the bench

Allardyce shared his verdict on the £50m man and his role against Tottenham.

“He’s got something to prove now Raheem hasn’t he. He’s not 30 yet is he? If he can go and capture his form, his Man City form more than anything else. He’s done ok at Chelsea. He has the bit between his teeth to say ‘I can show you’.” Allardyce said.

“Raheem (will be) on the bench to start with. He will be at the bit to get on and prove himself. What a move for him, he was blown out at Chelsea, he aired his opinion, which he got criticised for.

“He got the move to a club that looks like it wants to challenge Man City right to the end. He has big shoes to fill when he plays if he is selected.”

Raheem Sterling could make the difference

Raheem Sterling is likely to start this game on the bench. After all, he’s barely trained with the full squad due to the international break.

However, that isn’t to say that he won’t have his say on how this game pans out.

Darren Bent reckons Sterling could play a part against Tottenham, and he could have a big say in this game.

Indeed, Sterling’s pace and ability to exploit space could be huge in the final 10 or 20 minutes of this game.

Sterling may not start for Arsenal against Tottenham, but in this super sub role, he could well be the player who decides this match.