Ian Wright has expressed concerns over Raheem Sterling’s adjustment at Arsenal, particularly highlighting a lack of chemistry with teammate Ben White.
Wright believes that things aren’t “clicking” between the duo, an issue that became evident during Arsenal’s recent 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Sterling, on loan from Chelsea for the season, has had a slow start since his arrival and was given a starting role in the Premier League due to Bukayo Saka’s absence from injury.
Despite some initial promise, Sterling has struggled to replicate the synergy that White shares with Saka.
Sterling was handed a starting position in the 2-1 win over Southampton but retained his place in the next match against Bournemouth after Saka suffered a hamstring injury during international duty.
However, Sterling’s evening was cut short after 37 minutes when Mikel Arteta was forced to make tactical changes following William Saliba’s red card.
Jakub Kiwior was brought on to stabilize the defense, leaving Sterling sidelined as Arsenal attempted to recover.
Ian Wright, a former Arsenal legend, was quick to point out the areas where Arsenal struggled, focusing on Sterling’s partnership with White.
He shared his thoughts on the Stick to Football show, stating, “Raheem Sterling and Ben White, they haven’t got the same chemistry as White and Saka.”
Wright noted how much Arsenal missed Saka’s presence on the right flank, where his understanding with White has often been crucial to Arsenal’s attacking fluidity.
The Bournemouth match exposed vulnerabilities in Arsenal’s setup, with Antoine Semenyo causing significant problems for the Gunners.
Wright emphasized that Arsenal’s inability to cope with Semenyo’s energy and work rate contributed to their downfall. He said, “Going into the game, the way Bournemouth play and how hard they work… we couldn’t deal with Semenyo in that game.”
The disjointed relationship between Sterling and White further complicated Arsenal’s efforts to respond effectively.
Although Sterling has shown glimpses of his quality, registering a goal and assist in a Carabao Cup win against Bolton, his performances in the Premier League have not yet met expectations.
Wright acknowledged that Sterling’s transition into the team is still a work in progress, saying, “Raheem… it is still not quite clicking for him.”
He also noted that while Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth was unexpected, mistakes in key areas of the pitch were punished, contributing to the loss.
As Arsenal prepare to face Liverpool in their next Premier League fixture, Sterling could once again feature if Saka is not deemed fit enough to return.
However, the Gunners will also be without key players William Saliba, who is suspended, and Martin Odegaard, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Other injury concerns include Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, which may further test the depth of Arsenal’s squad.
With Arsenal facing a crucial period of fixtures and Sterling still finding his feet, Wright’s concerns over his chemistry with White may prove pivotal in determining how Mikel Arteta sets up his side for future matches.
If Sterling can develop a better understanding with his teammates, he could yet play a vital role in Arsenal’s campaign.