Injured Merino makes fans laugh, emotional Sterling moment – Inside Arsenal at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal were frustrated in their third Premier League match of the season, dropping points at home to Brighton after a controversial red card for Declan Rice stole all the attention.

Manchester City would then compound that misery as I watched from a Holloway Road restaurant in the aftermath of the game as Erling Haaland score a second hat-trick in as many weeks.

As usual for the home matches, football.london were inside the Emirates Stadium and able to catch some of the fallout. And despite the angst after the draw, the mood was positive overall as players prepared to fly to meet their national sides ahead of the break. In the bowels of the stadium, somewhat shaking with a sense of injustice, there were some intriguing moments to bring you from behind the scenes.

In the second edition of what we hope to bring you regularly this season, here are our glimpses from behind the curtain in north London. From a usual character nowhere to be seen to new signings making their presence felt despite being unable so far to do so on the pitch.

Where was Edu?

Granted, the day before, sporting director Edu had a late night as he helped to complete the deadline-day deals for both Neto and Raheem Sterling. This brought an end to perhaps the toughest summer market since his arrival, with dream targets failing to materialise and late pivots needed after playing negotiation games for many intense hours on Friday.

As mentioned in our last outing, Edu is an ever-present figure in the halls of the ‘mixed zone’ after games, but following this particular clash the Brazilian was missed. Perhaps with so much action the day before his responsibilities had taken him elsewhere.

Raheem Sterling delights supporters

One of the expected moments of being in the mixed zone following deadline day is spotting new signings. I remember last summer watching David Raya attempt to leave without being spotted or stopped around the time of his loan move from Brentford.

All three new signings were announced and welcomed over the tannoy to the crowd before the game made their way through the tunnel, speaking to their new teammates after the match. Opposite where the journalists are situated are a group of supporters who have the opportunity through the club’s community schemes to meet the players and one fan was particularly taken back at the sight of Sterling in a wholesome moment.

The new forward took the time to speak with fans, sign autographs and take photos. The hope will be he fits in well with the squad and can have a major impact.

Merino’s latest challenge

One of the most damning moments of deadline day was the news that summer arrival Mikel Merino had suffered a serious shoulder injury which would keep him out of action for many weeks. He came through the mixed zone in a sling and was asked by Spanish-speaking journalists how long he would be out for, to which he at the time said he didn’t know.

Before he went back up the lift to meet his family who were with him at the game, he – like Sterling – took time to speak with supporters and take photos. One amusing moment was shared between Merino and the fans as they sympathised with the difficulty he faced in his attempts to sign autographs while in his shoulder sling, which he clearly also found funny with the laughs being shared between them all.