Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has defended his reason for snubbing Raheem Sterling as an option to play against Manchester United, despite chasing a goal in the game.
The Gunners were left frustrated over the weekend as they went behind to a controversial Bruno Fernandes free-kick.
Declan Rice managed to draw Arsenal level, but in the end, there wasn’t enough time for the side to find a winner.
Arsenal’s draw with Manchester United created yet more questions for Mikel Arteta to answer, not least when it came to his in-game tactical tweaks.
One of those included snubbing Raheem Sterling, which came as quite the damning statement on the loanee.
Mikel Arteta explains Raheem Sterling snub during Man United vs Arsenal
As Arsenal were chasing a goal at Manchester United, Raheem Sterling was ignored as a substitute option as the manager looked to his bench.
Instead, he made three moves with Gabriel Martinelli, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kieran Tierney all drafted into the match.
The latter of those, a left-back who played as a make-shift forward, brought about the most questions about Mikel Arteta’s substitutions.
When asked about the decision, in a press conference ahead of Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven, the manager revealed his reason for the snub.
He told the press: “The same with the rest of the players at the end we make decisions on the day, which player we believe fits better in the manner in the game is developing and he’s [Sterling] come in other games and the other day that’s it.”
It banishes any rumours or discussions about the decision over Sterling being anything other than a footballing one.
However, it still comes as something of a blow to the winger.
Raheem Sterling is running out of time at Arsenal
It was always going to be tough for Sterling to break his way into the Arsenal team, given a front line that included Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on either wing.
The 30-year-old’s struggles have come rather after the fact that both of those options picked up injuries.
With an open spot, Sterling has had the chance to grab a starting shirt but has failed and that may well be costly for all involved.
For Arsenal, his lack of impact has hurt the side at a moment when they need a squad player like him to stand up and take some of the pressure off the team.
As for Sterling himself, his desire to prove himself at the top level has yet to come good as he now faces an uncertain future this summer.
Time is running out for him to make an impression at the Emirates Stadium, even if it isn’t a lasting one, though the Champions League still offers him a chance to impress.
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