Raheem Sterling has made just four starts across all competitions since joining Arsenal on loan from Chelsea and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has now opened up on the forward’s lack of game time
Mikel Arteta has defended Raheem Sterling’s limited game time this season, stating it’s not due to “tactical reasons”. Sterling made the switch to Arsenal on loan during the summer transfer deadline day after being sidelined at Chelsea by Enzo Maresca.
However, the forward has only started four matches in all competitions for the Gunners. His last start was in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Championship side Preston in the Carabao Cup on October 30.
Since then, the 30-year-old has only made two appearances as a substitute. Arteta has now shed light on why Sterling hasn’t seen more action.
“There’s been moments,” Arteta revealed ahead of Arsenal’s match against Everton. “It’s been tough and very difficult for me as well to accept that I haven’t given him more. When he hasn’t started the games, 90 per cent of the subs that I make is related to saving minutes or because of injuries or avoiding injuries.”
“It’s not tactical reasons. I would like him to play much more as I think he can impact the team in a very good way. He’s very good in the dressing room and is absolutely desperate to play. He had this very important role, impacting every game, and suddenly you are in this position for a while.”, reports the Mirror.
“Not just here but at Chelsea as well. So it’s always very difficult and I feel a lot of sympathy for players when they are in this moment. Hopefully we can change it.”
Arsenal boss Arteta has been singing the praises of young guns Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, despite Raheem Sterling struggling to nail down a spot in the squad. “It is unbelievable,” gushed Arteta about the academy duo’s impact.
“It is not for me to say, it is for them and they have already expressed the way [the dressing room] makes them feel. The way they look after them, the way they can look at certain people and say: ‘Wow, these are the standards I want to become’.”
He continued to rave about the Gunners’ youth setup: “That is a great example. The academy historically has been very, very successful and strong but there are moments as well. Sometimes you get a lot of players come through in the same position.”
Arteta highlighted the importance of timing in a player’s career: “They need time in the squad, they need a role in the squad, and then it is when you throw a player in. That is the key. They can be ready but the context in that team, dressing room, moment is not right.”