On Wednesday evening, Raheem Sterling completed 90 minutes for the first time in an Arsenal shirt, helping Mikel Arteta's men sail into the EFL Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory over Preston North End.
The on-loan Chelsea attacker did almost everything right at Deepdale, besides putting the ball in the back of the net, as he was denied right at the death by an incredible goal-saving block from Brad Potts.
With Sterling failing to directly contribute to a goal against Preston, his thunder was naturally stolen by academy gem Ethan Nwaneri and ex-Manchester City teammate Gabriel Jesus, who opened the scoring and then set up Nwaneri's wonderful strike.
However, Sterling more than made his mark on the Deepdale turf, having four shots, creating two chances and completing a fabulous six dribbles from seven attempts as he terrorised the PNE backline.
The naysayers will of course point out the level of opposition that Arsenal faced, and Sterling is expected drop down to the bench on Saturday lunchtime, when Arsenal open the Premier League weekend away to Newcastle United.
Sterling boasts terrific record against Newcastle
© Imago
The 29-year-old is particularly fond of a goal against Newcastle, though, having scored 10 times against the Magpies in the past, his third-most against a single opponent behind Bournemouth (12) and Watford (11).
Nine of those strikes have come in the top flight, and Sterling could now become just the fifth Premier League player in history to score 10 goals against Newcastle in the competition.
The Chelsea-owned attacker would be joining an elite crowd should he make the net bulge at St James' Park, as the only four players in that club are Wayne Rooney (15), Sergio Aguero (15), Michael Owen (13) and Andrew Cole (11).
After netting once for Liverpool versus the Magpies in the 2014-15 season, Sterling scored both home and away against Newcastle in the 2019-20 and 2021-22 campaigns during his Man City heyday.
The England international also has recent when it comes to making nets bulge at St James' Park, scoring Chelsea's consolation effort in their humiliating 4-1 loss to Eddie Howe's side in the 2023-24 season.
© Imago
There is no chance of Sterling holding his place on the right if Bukayo Saka is at least partially fit, though, and he is also below Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in the left-wingers pecking order.
Martinelli has lost his clinical touch in front of goal in recent weeks, though - too many of his shots have been straight at the goalkeeper - and Sterling is certainly an intriguing option against one of his favourite opponents.
Arsenal bidding to hit club landmark in Newcastle clash
As well as Sterling's efforts to join that exclusive party, Arsenal are hoping to make it third time lucky in their pursuit of a club milestone, as they need just one more win to reach 2,000 in the English top flight.
The Gunners have failed to hit that landmark in clashes with Bournemouth and Liverpool over the past couple of weeks, but three points on Saturday would see them follow in Liverpool's footsteps as just the second club to win 2,000 games in the top division.
Arteta delivered a detailed injury update to the press ahead of the trip to the North East, confirming three blows and one defensive boost as he gave the latest on Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Martin Odegaard.
No Data Analysis info
