‘He is really hungry’: Arsenal star could make full debut vs Bolton tonight after what Mikel Arteta said
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dropped a selection hint ahead of the Carabao Cup third round tie against Bolton Wanderers tonight.
The Gunners welcome the Trotters to the Emirates Stadium and Arteta has already confirmed that there will be changes to the starting XI.
Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli were substituted with possible cramp during the 2-2 Premier League draw at Manchester City.
Meanwhile, David Raya was spotted limping after the game with a bandage on his right leg.
There could be plenty of fresh faces against Bolton and the manager has hinted that Sterling could be in line to start in tonight’s late kick-off.
He told Arsenal.com: “Very good. He has had a few minutes already and tomorrow he has another opportunity.
“He is ready, he is really hungry to add more minutes and impact the team in the way that he can, and hopefully tomorrow we can see that.”
Sterling made his Gunners debut against Tottenham Hotspur off the bench and he had another cameo versus Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium.
The 29-year-old was not risked in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City. Arteta preferred to go with Gabriel Jesus, who is better equipped to defend with 10 men.
Sterling is most likely to make his full Gunners debut tonight. Martinelli worked his socks off defensively and he could be handed a breather.
The Chelsea loanee has the opportunity to make an impression with a goal or an assist.
It may not necessarily hand him a starting position in the Premier League, but it could encourage Arteta to offer him more minutes in future.
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