Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has backed Raheem Sterling to be a success during his loan spell at the Emirates.

Havertz and Sterling spent a year together at Chelsea before the former moved to the Gunners at the start of last season. Asked whether it is good to be linking up with his former teammate again, Havertz replied:

“Yeah, obviously it’s so nice to have him back. I didn’t speak to him before he came because I didn’t even know he was coming. I was looking on my phone and I just saw he was close to joining Arsenal.”

“I saw him after our game against Brighton. It was nice to see him again because I already had a good relationship with him (at Chelsea). He’s a top-class player. He proved it so many times in the Premier League already. I think it’s great to have him here, and I think he really is going to enjoy his time here.”

Can the winger replicate his Manchester City form at Arsenal?

Although Havertz has praised Sterling’s abilities, the fact that he was loaned out by Chelsea does indicate the 29-year-old’s performances didn’t quite hit the heights expected.

The forward’s record at Stamford Bridge was decent (he averaged a goal or assist every 2.6 games), but Arsenal fans will be hoping to see the player who racked up 204 goal involvements in his seven years with City.

Sterling will have to bide his time for starting opportunities

The England international did score his first goal in an Arsenal shirt against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup earlier this week, bagging the fourth in a 5-1 win.

However, Sterling hasn’t started a Premier League game since his move to the Gunners, with there being a lot of competition for places on the wings. The presence of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard means he may have to remain patient for first-team chances.