Arsenal head to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to contest a North London derby in which the stakes are already incredibly high for both teams.
The Gunners dropped points against Brighton before the international break, a result which sees them trailing to a Manchester City side with a perfect record.
Meanwhile, Tottenham only have four points to show for their efforts so far this season, despite their dominance in all three games.
In addition, Arsenal are set to be without a number of players including Mikel Merino and Declan Rice due to injury or suspension.
Other players, such as Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori, remain doubts and will face late fitness tests.
One player who looks likely to feature is Raheem Sterling, who joined Arsenal right on the cusp of the summer transfer deadline.
Expectations are high for one of the best and most highly decorated English players in recent years, and if all goes well, he could break an 89-year record for Arsenal this weekend.
Raheem Sterling in line to be first Arsenal player to score debut goal against Tottenham since Alf Kirchen in 1935
Sterling is in line to make his Gunners debut in the North London derby, which is a rare feat in itself.
As per the Arsenal website, if he scores for the Gunners against Tottenham, it would be the first time this has happened since 1935.
The last player to do so is Alf Kirchen, who played for Arsenal between 1935 and 1943 after joining from Norwich City in a £6,000 deal (Arsenal website).
He debuted for the Gunners on 6 March 1935 and scored a brace en route to a 6-0 win, Arsenal’s biggest ever win in a North London derby.
All in all, Kirchen scored 45 goals in 101 appearances for Arsenal in standard competition, plus a further 80 times in 113 wartime football appearances.
Sadly, a serious knee injury during wartime football ended his Gunners career. Thereafter, he went on to represent England in clay pigeon shooting.
Tottenham team news ahead of Arsenal clash
Tottenham are set to have defender Micky van de Ven and new striker Dominic Solanke back in the fold after they missed the defeat at Newcastle before the international break.
However, a late call will be made on Yves Bissouma after the midfielder sustained a knock while away with Mali in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.
Forwards Richarlison and Will Lankshear will definitely miss out on the game due to injury.
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