Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka could join an exclusive club of Gunners players should he score against Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's Premier League North London derby.
The 23-year-old has already made his presence felt in Arsenal's first three games of the new season with four direct goal contributions, one of his own and three assists.
After both scoring and setting up Kai Havertz in the Gunners' opening success over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Saka set up goals against Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.
The England international also thrived in North London derbies last term, tucking away a penalty in Arsenal's 2-2 Emirates draw before notching their second in their enthralling 3-2 away success.
Having scored in both of Arsenal's clashes with bitter rivals Tottenham in 2023-24, Saka is now bidding to become just the third Arsenal player to score in three straight North London derbies.
Saka out to match Robert Pires, Emmanuel Adebayor records
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The first Gunners man to score in three or more successive appearances against Tottenham was Invincible winger Robert Pires, who netted in four straight North London derbies from 2002 to 2004.
The Frenchman struck in both of his appearances against Spurs in Arsenal's 2003-04 title-winning campaign, as the Gunners clinched the league at White Hart Lane on the final day, and his eight goals against Spurs overall was more than he managed against any other team in his career.
The second and most recent Arsenal player to achieve that North London derby feat was Emmanuel Adebayor, who incredibly registered in five straight matches versus Spurs from 2006 to 2008.
That streak includes a brace away from home in the 2007-08 campaign, although he also scored against the Gunners for both Tottenham and Manchester City, memorably running to celebrate in front of the Arsenal faithful while playing for the latter in 2009.
While Saka will no doubt bomb down the right wing for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has an alternative option to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left in the shape of Raheem Sterling, who could now make his Gunners debut.
Arteta reveals "10-second" decision over Sterling transfer
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The Chelsea loanee was not eligible to make his debut against Brighton two weekends ago due to his late deadline day arrival, but he is now in line to become the first Arsenal player to make their first appearance in a North London derby since Isaiah Rankin in 1997.
Sterling was a former student of Arteta's at Manchester City, and the Gunners boss revealed that he was convinced about bringing him to the Emirates after just 10 seconds on the phone with him.
"The first call I had with him, I knew straight away after 10 seconds, we have to bring him because he really wanted it, you know," Arteta told reporters in Friday's press conference.
"And that was my only question mark, what stage is he at in his career, but I knew already after 10 seconds. Bring him here. He has this ability and the credit for that is him and the players that he has around him. You need that if you're one of the front players. He has that intuition, that will and ability to do that. I'm sure he's going to impact the team."
Arteta also issued the latest on Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus's injuries before Arsenal's trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where they have won their last two fixtures against their bitter foes.
Ben Knapton
