Mikel Arteta surprises everyone with Sterling

The Spanish strategist may make a surprising decision in the upcoming London derby.

Before heading into the international break, Arsenal’s winning streak in the Premier League was halted by Brighton. In reality, the Gunners should feel lucky not to have suffered a defeat, as the Seagulls completely dominated and shook David Raya’s goal continuously in the final minutes of the match. However, before that, Arsenal fans also had the right to feel aggrieved when Declan Rice had to leave the pitch in a controversial situation.

Not only did Rice’s second yellow card cost Arsenal points against Brighton, but it also created another major blow as he will miss the upcoming clash against Tottenham Hotspur. Although Ange Postecoglou’s squad is not in top form, with the home advantage, they will certainly pose many challenges for the Gunners. Therefore, it can be said that Mikel Arteta is facing a tough task in finding a solution to replace Rice.

Currently, most opinions suggest that Jorginho will be Arteta’s choice. With his strong control in the midfield and experience in big games, Jorginho seems to be the ideal option for Arsenal at this moment. However, according to GIVEMESPORT, Arteta might surprise everyone with a completely different plan: using Kai Havertz as a supporting midfielder and placing Raheem Sterling, the new signing from Chelsea, in the false 9 role.

This tactic will surely bring surprises, but given Arteta’s flexibility in his tactical approach, the Spanish manager could apply it in the upcoming match. To be fair, Jorginho is clearly a safe choice and would likely be anticipated by Postecoglou, so opting for a new system with Sterling leading the line could catch Spurs off guard.

Known for his speed, intelligent movements in the box, and high unpredictability, Sterling is sure to cause Tottenham’s defense plenty of problems. Notably, the English forward has also played the false 9 role several times under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, so this wouldn’t be an unfamiliar task for him. Moreover, this could be an opportunity for Sterling to make a difference after a disappointing stint at Chelsea in the winger role.

Additionally, having Kai Havertz drop into the midfield will open up more tactical options for Arsenal. Havertz has long demonstrated his versatility by playing in various positions, and in the supporting midfield role, he would not only assist Martin Odegaard but is also expected to link up well with Jorginho or Thomas Partey, helping the Gunners control the midfield. At the same time, Havertz’s versatility will allow Arsenal to exploit the space between Tottenham’s lines, reducing the pressure on Sterling upfront. Overall, experimenting with Sterling and Havertz could be a risky move, but in theory, it has the potential to be highly effective.