Paul Merson has now doubled down on his warning to Arsenal about Raheem Sterling, fearing the Chelsea star can give Oleksandr Zinchenko ‘problems’ in the London derby.
The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening looking to take a fourth-straight win over the Blues. It would also be Arsenal’s fourth-straight away win over Chelsea for the first time since 1951. The north Londoners won four-straight visits to Stamford Bridge then.
Arsenal may line up with Zinchenko at left-back in a direct fight against Sterling on Chelsea’s right flank. Mauricio Pochettino has split the 28-year-old’s games so far this season between both sides of the Blues’ attack. He has also started the winger in a more centralised position.
Arsenal visit Chelsea with Sterling in fine form for Pochettino
Sterling has been a threat through his outings in a variety of roles, too. The 82-cap England attacker scored two goals against Luton Town while playing on Nicolas Jackson’s shoulder at Stamford Bridge. He also offered a goal and an assist away to Burnley whilst on the left wing.
The £47.5m ex-Manchester City star’s display at Turf Moor captivated Merson. He has since warned Arsenal that Sterling can be ‘unplayable’ whilst operating like he did at Burnley. The attacker tormented the Clarets and forced an own goal out of Ameen Al Dakhil in a 4-1 win.
Merson doubles down and warns Zinchenko about Sterling
Now, Merson has doubled down on his warning ahead of Arsenal visiting Chelsea as he fears Sterling can cause Zinchenko issues. And it is because of the forward’s ability to trouble his old Manchester City teammate that Merson expects Pochettino to start Sterling on the right.
“With Chelsea, you don’t know what the team is going to be,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “But I know what their midfield looks like – Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher. I expect Sterling to play on the right because he can cause Zinchenko problems.”
Like Sterling, Zinchenko left Manchester City in the summer of 2022 as he agreed to a £32m transfer to Arsenal. The 26-year-old established himself as Mikel Arteta’s first choice at left-back immediately, as well. Saturday could mark the Ukraine hero’s 44th game with the club.
What helped Zinchenko to become so integral at Emirates Stadium is his ability to move into the Gunners’ midfield. But Sterling may force Arteta to limit Zinchenko’s role against Chelsea if the winger causes Arsenal the sort of problems that Merson fully believes he is capable of.
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