Mikel Arteta makes telling Raheem Sterling statement as Arsenal struggles laid bare
Raheem Sterling is yet to score a Premier League goal for Arsenal but Mikel Arteta reckons the forward, on loan from Chelsea, can still have a big say on the Gunners' season
Mikel Arteta has told Raheem Sterling the time has come to make a big impact on Arsenal's season.
Struggling Sterling, on loan for the season from Chelsea, is expected to make just a fifth league start against West Ham on Saturday afternoon for an Arsenal side without four key attackers. His only goal has come in the EFL Cup and the England international has provided just a single assist.
And after Mikel Merino replaced Sterling before scoring twice at Leicester last week, there is fresh pressure on the forward given he could soon be snubbed in favour of a midfielder.
But Arteta, who reckons there is no stock in the theory that being a teenage star means he has run out of steam at the age of 30, is urging Sterling to step up in his team’s hour of need as they look to claw back Liverpool’s eight-point lead.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal priorities clear after PSV Eindhoven Champions League drawREAD MORE: Alan Shearer names his Champions League favourite - 'Without doubt'Asked if he thinks Sterling can still contribute, Arteta said: “Yeah and he has to, because we really need him.
“Raheem is so experienced, and like many other players, we know that what you did yesterday is not (relevant). That could be relevant to the next game, to the next action. He’s fully focused, he’s trained really well this week, and ready to go again.”
Then pushed on whether he thinks Sterling is suffering from a high playing load since he was 17, Arteta replied: “I don’t think so. When I see him running and sprinting, accelerating, putting his brakes on in training or in the game, I don’t think it’s related to that.”
Arteta worked with Sterling during his peak years at Manchester City and spoke glowingly about his talents when the loan deal from Stamford Bridge was sealed early in the campaign.
Yet Arteta insists it is unfair to contrast his current form with his best moments at City.
“I think to compare two aspects when they are so far, especially in time, is very difficult,” he added. “As well the context is he was playing every three days, every minute of every game, of every competition.
“With us it hasn’t been the case for other reasons. We are all very aware that wasn’t going to be the case from day one. But the most beautiful part of the season is still to come and he’s going to have a big opportunity.”
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