Darren Bent says Mikel Arteta could unleash £180k-per-week Arsenal player against Tottenham

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Arsenal’s issues are beginning to pile up ahead of their North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

On Monday night, midfielder Martin Odegaard suffered what appeared to be a concerning injury in his final international game of the break.

The extent of that injury is still unknown with the Arsenal midfielder now expected to undergo scans on his issue with it looking to be fairly innocuous.

However, the Gunners already had one major issue going into the international break following the suspension picked up by Declan Rice in their previous game against Brighton & Hove Albion.

But not all hope is lost ahead of the North London Derby in N17 with Darren Bent saying Mikel Arteta has one seriously interesting selection option at his disposal now.

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Who Darren Bent thinks could be unleashed against Tottenham

With only three games under their belt in the Premier League, the loss of Rice for a game and Odegaard for a potentially significant period of time, it’s not been an ideal start.

The Gunners have been able to take seven points from a possible nine but these absences ahead of the game against Spurs are not going to do the team morale any good.

But the game in Tottenham could prove their toughest test yet with more than three points on the line in the North London Derby.

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Speaking on TalkSPORT, Bent has shared his excitement at potentially seeing Raheem Sterling make an impact from the bench on Sunday.

“I don’t think Jorginho can do the same role Declan does in the eight. He hasn’t got the legs for it. So the only think I am thinking is do you bring Havertz back into midfield? Havertz, Odegaard [prior to injury] and Partey and maybe Gabriel Jesus or Sterling as the false nine. There are options there,” he said on Monday night [6:42 pm]

“But Declan Rice, missing him is huge, massive. I think I would start with Gabriel Jesus down the middle. He can take the ball, he is good with his back to goal as well. Imagine bringing Sterling off the bench!”

Raheem Sterling may now start after Martin Odegaard setback

Following the potential setback with Odegaard, Sterling may now be thrown into the starting XI to make his Arsenal debut.

The Chelsea loanee joined in the hours after the deadline following a deal sheet being submitted to the Premier League.

But the £180k-per-week former England international may now be forced to come in from the start with Arteta potentially having to piece his Arsenal side together.

In his 24 games against Spurs, Sterling has been able to provide a return of eight goals and five assists and he will be hoping to add to that on the weekend.