Mikel Arteta is likely to shake up his Arsenal starting XI for Wednesday evening’s EFL Cup clash with Crystal Palace.
Whilst Mikel Arteta will be taking this quarter final tie seriously, as the EFL Cup represents a real opportunity for the Gunners to get their hands on some silverware, he is still likely to rotate his team.
This could mean a rare start for Raheem Sterling, who has been a bit-part player at the Emirates Stadium since his summer loan switch from Chelsea.
However, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both struggling for form at the moment, now is the time to give the 30-year-old a real chance to show that he can make a positive impact for Arsenal.
Arsenal fans demand Raheem Sterling start vs Crystal Palace
As Arteta has seemed so reluctant to use him, Arsenal fans have questioned the decision to sign Sterling in the first place.
So far this season, the winger has made just 10 appearances, across all competitions, with six of those outings having come off the bench.
Arsenal fans on X are now demanding that the England international be given the nod against the Eagles.
One said: “Need to see more of Sterling. Hopefully he gets the start.”
Another stated: “Sterling should start against palace… just wanna see something.”
Another Arsenal supporter claimed: “Partey/Jeoginho, Rice/Merino, Odegaard can cover that space while we need to start testing Sterling on that left wing.”
One added: “I hope journalists ask Mikel in the presser about Sterling’s situation, it’s getting weird from time to time.”
Mikel Arteta hints at his stance on Sterling
That last supporter got his wish, as the Arsenal manager was quizzed about the Chelsea loanee ahead of this showdown with Crystal Palace. However, Arteta was dismissive of Sterling’s plight.
When asked if there is a reason that he hasn’t played recently, the Spanish coach simply said: “No.”
In the past, when discussing those on the fringes of his squad, Arteta has talked up their quality and importance to his plans. To have given Sterling such short shrift with this answer, then, may well indicate that he isn’t pleased with the former Manchester City man.
If Sterling isn’t in the starting XI against Crystal Palace then it is hard to see any chance of him turning his loan spell around.
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