Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Raheem Sterling has a point to prove following his loan arrival from Chelsea.
The 29-year-old forward completed a shock deadline-day switch after being deemed surplus to requirements by Blues boss Enzo Maresca.
Sterling could now make his debut for Arsenal in Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham, having been reunited with Arteta who coached him during his time at Manchester City.
“He looks great,” said the Gunners boss of Sterling. “First of all because he has a big smile on his face, a lot of energy. He’s at it and he wants to prove a point.”
Sterling scored 14 goals in 59 league games for Chelsea in his first two seasons, but was left out of the squad for their opening two matches of the Premier League season.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku and summer arrivals Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho have all been preferred to the 82-cap England frontman.
After being left out of the squad for the opening weekend defeat to former club Manchester City, Sterling’s representatives publicly stated their intention to gain “clarity” over his future.
Despite being linked with Manchester United, it was Arsenal who moved for him and Arteta said he can already sense Sterling’s hunger to get back to his best form, having scored 123 career Premier League goals.
“When someone has got that in his belly you sense it straight away,” added the Spaniard.
“Obviously, I don’t need to discover anything about his quality and what he can bring to the team.
“What I see is hunger. He is a player who wants to play every minute of every game. When that is not the case he’s not happy.”
