Perhaps the major positive from Raheem Sterling’s first training Arsenal session is that the winger has seemingly got through injury-free, given what happened in Mikel Merino’s debut foray.

While Merino is now sidelined for a number of weeks with a shoulder injury, deadline day arrival Sterling could make his Gunners bow in the North London Derby after the international break. It is unlikely he starts, this not only due to the competition ahead of him.

Sterling has yet to play at all this season so will need time to get back to match sharpness. His anticipated omission from England’s internationals this week gives him time to get his pace up.

Sterling enjoyed his first Gunners training session on Tuesday, where he will have met many of his teammates for the first time. A number of things were spotted, including a potential hint at how he might be used.

Cool finish – from the right

Whether this is telling or not, only time will tell, but Sterling was captured producing a very fine finish while cutting in from the right flank, fooling the defender before sliding under the goalkeeper. To be clear, he was also seen doing work on the other flank but his versatility is a blessing for Mikel Arteta.

Many see Sterling as a back-up and rotational player for Bukayo Saka, who has not had an obvious support act for a while. The attacker has played more games on the left throughout his career but has managed to notch 51 goals and 49 assists in 172 matches from the right wing.

Manager Arteta was seen speaking to Sterling at points during the session as the 29-year-old adjusts to his new head coach’s demands. The player was also seen chatting to a number of teammates too.

One of these was Leandro Trossard, a left winger. The international break has come at a opportune time for Sterling, who will have two weeks to digest all of the instructions Arteta instils in his wide players.

Small–ball rondo

At one stage, Sterling took part in a rondo with a difference. Arsenal players were tasked with keeping possession using a kids football to test co-ordination and precision.

The idea is that passing and control becomes much easier when a bigger ball is introduced, by which time foot-to-eye coordination is on active alert. The hope is that this translates into games. As you can see above, Sterling and his teammates took the drill very seriously despite the comically small ball.