Raheem Sterling has had a very difficult time at Arsenal.
The England international joined the Gunners from Chelsea on deadline day last summer. He is on a season-long loan deal, one that many felt was a great bit of business by Edu.
However, things just haven’t gone to plan for the 30-year-old over the last few months.
Sterling has come under immense criticism for his performances, and it is very clear now that he will be sent back to Chelsea at the end of this campaign.
Mikel Arteta has now had his say on the former Manchester City man.
Mikel Arteta makes claim on Raheem Sterling’s game time at Arsenal
Arsenal were on the market for a new wide attacker all summer.
Arteta wanted to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao, and many fans felt that the Spaniard would be an exceptional addition to this Gunners’ squad.
However, a move for the Euro 2024 winner did not materialise, and after failing to land anyone else until deadline day, the opportunity to sign Sterling emerged.
Arsenal decided to take it, and the fact that Arteta had previously worked with him at Manchester City made many people believe that the Gunners boss would bring the best out of him.
However, Arteta’s comments now suggest that everyone involved in the deal was aware at the time that Sterling was only ever going to be a backup and he would not get the minutes that he once did at Manchester City.
In his press conference, Arteta was asked if he’s surprised by how poor Sterling – a player he saw produce incredible performances at City – has been this season.
The Arsenal manager said, as relayed on HaytersTV: “I think to compare two aspects when they are so far, especially in time, it was very difficult, and as well the context where he was playing every three days, every minute of every game in every competition (at City).
“With us, since his arrival, it hasn’t been the case, for other reasons. We were all very aware that wasn’t going to be the case from day one.”
Sterling’s surprise opportunity
If everyone at Arsenal was fit, Sterling would barely get a look in – that has been the case on many occasions this season.
But, the Chelsea loanee has got a surprise opportunity to play regularly now because of injuries to Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Sterling was really poor against Leicester City last weekend. He will admit that he was nowhere near his best and performances like that are unacceptable at this level.
But, the 30-year-old will get more opportunities in the coming weeks, and we’re sure he would love nothing more than to prove people wrong.
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