Mikel Arteta shares whether Arsenal will cancel Raheem Sterling’s loan now to sign another forward

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Mikel Arteta has provided a definitive verdict on the future of Raheem Sterling at Arsenal.

Sterling arrived on loan from Chelsea in the summer as the Gunners’ only forward addition but has hardly featured so far this season.

The winger has scored just once in a red and white shirt, and has often been overlooked for other options by Arteta.

Bukayo Saka is out until at least March, and yet the former Manchester City man still hasn’t seen an increase in game time.

Arsenal fans berated Sterling for his performance in midweek against Dinamo Zagreb, and this has prompted calls for the North London club to cut his loan short.

Mikel Arteta provides Raheem Sterling loan update at Arsenal

With Arsenal struggling to get a deal over the line for one of their primary forward targets in the summer, they rushed to add Sterling to their ranks.

Expected to feature somewhat regularly at the Emirates, it simply hasn’t worked out for the Englishman.

Sterling has started just three Premier League games all season, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli all selected ahead of him on the right-wing at various points.

Despite this, Arteta remains insistent that he will not terminate Sterling’s temporary stay in N5.

Asked if the club would consider this in his press conference on Friday morning, the Spaniard responded: “We’re not thinking about that.”

This may frustrate Arsenal fans hoping for new forwards to walk through the doors at London Colney.

However, David Seaman believes that Arsenal want a striker, and that the club are doing everything in their power to secure one.

Thus, Sterling’s presence in the squad shouldn’t have a substantial impact on the Gunners’ transfer plans.

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Arsenal are right to keep Raheem Sterling

While Sterling has certainly underwhelmed up until this point, Arsenal cannot afford to part ways with him this month.

The Gunners’ attack is already threadbare, with just Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Martinelli and Sterling available for Arteta to pick from.

Without the 30-year-old, Arteta’s attacking options are incredibly sparse.

Sterling has also just returned from an injury, so he may still be getting up to full speed regarding his fitness.

He showed glimpses of quality in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, and could still replicate these moments if given more regular game time.

Arsenal should certainly still sign a striker or winger before the transfer window closes, but they should be looking to add to their existing group.