Arsenal star Raheem Sterling will have to be careful to avoid a ban in the Champions League when his side take on PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16.
The Gunners travel to the Phillips Stadion in the first leg before a return trip to the Emirates Stadium just eight days later.
Mikel Arteta will be keen for his players to take a positive result back home from the Netherlands in search of silverware this season.
Arsenal do, however, have an issue when it comes to scoring goals as a lack of creativity mixed with very few forward options has left the side without the edge they need in the box.
With just three fit forwards left for Arteta, it could get worse if Raheem Sterling seals a ban at an important time in the Champions League.
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Raheem Sterling close to Champions League yellow card suspension
One of those three forward options left is Raheem Sterling, who has struggled for game time since joining on loan from Chelsea.
The winger has featured on either flank but has failed to convince in the few chances he has received so far this campaign.
Despite Sterling’s struggles at Arsenal, the England international is one of just a few senior options available and could prove to have an impact in the weeks ahead.
He will, however, have to avoid a ban to make an impact in the Champions League as he is now walking a suspension tightrope.
The 30-year-old picked up bookings against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona in the previous two matches, putting him at risk.
Three yellow cards in the Champions League results in a suspension, with the tally not expiring until after the quarter-finals.
It means another caution for Sterling could see him miss the return trip against PSV, while anything beyond that could see him out of action for some key latter stage matches.
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Arsenal’s Champions League yellow card statistics
With the Champions Leaue now entering the later stages of the knockout rounds, clubs will be keen for their key players to avoid suspension.
While Sterling is one of those at risk for Arsenal, he isn’t the only one as a few others are moving close to a ban.
| Player | Yellow card count |
|---|---|
| Raheem Sterling | 2 |
| Gabriel Martinelli | 2 |
| Gabriel Jesus | 1 |
| Declan Rice | 1 |
| Mikel Merino | 1 |
| Riccardo Calafiori | 1 |
| Jurrien Timber | 1 |
| Gabriel Magalhaes | 1 |
| Ben White | 1 |
| David Raya | 1 |
Gabriel Martinelli’s injury means he isn’t at risk of a suspension just yet, but could be if he returns in time for the quarter-finals – if Arsenal reach them.
Gabriel Jesus isn’t at risk either as he is out for the season, but that does leave seven others who are walking a suspension tightrope.
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