Mikel Arteta has come to Raheem Sterling’s defense, shouldering the blame for the Arsenal loanee’s underwhelming season.
Sterling, who joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, has faced criticism, with former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore labeling him the “flop of the season.”
Despite being a Premier League veteran and a decorated player, Sterling has struggled for game time under Arteta, starting just two league matches so far.
However, Arteta insists that Sterling’s lack of minutes is a result of tactical decisions, not a reflection of the player’s commitment or quality.
“His application and commitment around the team have been exceptional,” Arteta said. “Now it’s time for me to give him more minutes.”
Sterling’s loan move to Arsenal was seen as an opportunity to reignite his career after being frozen out at Chelsea by Enzo Maresca. Despite high hopes, his impact has been limited, with Collymore stating:
“He’s an experienced player who was expected to elevate the dressing room, but he hasn’t done that.”
Arteta, however, remains optimistic about Sterling’s potential contribution, saying,
“He’s trying his best. That’s why I put him on against Forest and Sporting, and now he’s getting into that rhythm because he can really impact the team.”
Sterling featured as a substitute in Arsenal’s commanding 5-2 victory over West Ham, signaling Arteta’s intention to gradually reintegrate the winger into the team.
Arsenal’s win against West Ham marked their third consecutive league victory, strengthening their push to catch league leaders Liverpool. Arteta expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly the first half-hour of the match:
“We started incredibly well—positive, energetic, and with a lot of quality.”
However, Arteta acknowledged the need to maintain focus, adding:
“After we scored the fourth, we conceded a sloppy goal and a free-kick, which made it game on. Thankfully, the fifth goal allowed us to manage the second half better.”
Following Arsenal’s revival, pundit Chris Sutton declared the title race wide open: “With Arsenal now hitting form, the title race is on.” Arteta also hinted at optimism, stating his intention to enjoy watching Liverpool face Manchester City, Arsenal’s primary rivals for the title
With Arteta promising more opportunities for Sterling, the winger has a chance to redeem himself and contribute to Arsenal’s title ambitions. For Sterling, the focus now will be on proving his doubters wrong and showing why he remains one of England’s top talents.