Even at 1-0 down, Mikel Arteta won't put his trust in Raheem Sterling... the next few weeks could make or break his Arsenal career, writes ISAAN KHAN
- Raheem Sterling has made just two starts for Arsenal in the Premier League
- He was however an unused substitute against Newcastle where Arsenal lost 1-0
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Just hours after the summer transfer window had closed, Raheem Sterling was in the Emirates Stadium’s plush seats.
Arsenal were facing Brighton on August 31, with Sterling in attendance after sealing a last minute move to join Arsenal from Chelsea on loan.
The stadium cameras zeroed in a man full of relief. A career lifeline thrown his way having been told by Enzo Maresca he would not play at the Blues.
On his jacket, a large quote stood out. It read, ‘Make your choice, embrace the changes to come’.
Thus far, the changes to come have been a spot on the bench and a place all the way down Arsenal’s pecking order. It’s a transfer which is not working out and an indictment of where Arsenal are right now.
Raheem Sterling is falling down the pecking order and needs to turn his Arsenal loan around
Cast out by Chelsea, this was a chance to showcase his ability, but it has been mixed so far
Chasing a one-goal deficit, in the second half Mikel Arteta brought on Ethan Nwaneri, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus and Ben White.
Nwaneri is 17, Zinchenko and White are both defenders and midfielder Jorginho came on in the 86th minute.
The fact Sterling was not used, even when Arteta desperately tried to alter the make-up of his team up after the hour mark — Thomas Partey was shifted into midfield from right back, for example — reflects how far he has fallen from Arteta’s thinking.
It also demonstrates how monumental a loss Martin Odegaard has been, who is close to returning from an ankle injury.
Usually, a manager cannot be fully certain how a player will fit into a team or whether they will gel with team-mates. With Sterling, it’s different.
Arteta, as Manchester City assistant coach, had worked closely with the player for three years. He knew what to expect, and that is why the move failing to work out so far is puzzling.
In the days after signing the England man, Arteta said: ‘What I see is hunger. He’s a player that wants to play every minute of every game. When that’s not the case, he’s not happy.
‘He wants to play every single day and I see that. His commitment and the level of energy that he’s bringing to the team is a big boost. You can feel it walking through the door. We are better with him. He’s gonna make us better.’
Sterling ranks high among Arsenal's forwards for touches in the opposition box and shots
However, he has been limited to just two starts in the Premier League since joining on loan
Mikel Arteta said he saw 'hunger' in Sterling and worked with him for three years at Man City
The forward, therefore, can’t be so happy right now — he has played eight times so far, but only four times in the league. Of those four appearances, just two were starts — against Southampton and Bournemouth.
His statistics aren’t bad. On a by game average compared to Arsenal’s other attackers — Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Jesus — Sterling ranks first for number of touches in the opposition box (12.16), first for shots on target (1.62) and second for number of shots (2.43).
Though for distance covered, he ranks second-last (4,106 yards) and bottom for forward passes (5.14).
The numbers show he is trying to make in impact in front of goal. There does appear to be an element of uncertainty from Arteta as to where Sterling best slots in.
He has been played in five different positions this season — as a centre forward, left wing, right wing, left midfield and right midfield.
It has echoes of the Kai Havertz conundrum from the previous campaign where he initially played left midfield before finding his feet at centre forward.
Finding the right position for Sterling may be the crux of the problem, but he is only on loan for this season at the Gunners. The issue needs to be rectified fast, if the move is to be deemed a success or acceptable at the very least.
What can’t be overlooked from Saturday, however, is Newcastle’s performance.
The next few weeks could make or break Sterling's with the Gunners in north London
He was left unused despite Arsenal trailing Newcastle by a goal for most of Saturday's match
They were excellent across the pitch. In midfield they nullified Arsenal and made the opposition’s lack of creativity without Odegaard rather noticeable.
The performance of Lewis Hall, the 20-year-old ex-Chelsea man, was particularly of note, having contained the in-form Saka. Hall did not give him an inch and never switched off.
It left some commentators suggesting he is close to an England call-up.
His future is bright, for sure, but, for Sterling, the coming weeks could well be make or break for his Arsenal career.
