Raheem Sterling makes decision on Arsenal future as Mikel Arteta faces January transfer call

Raheem Sterling’s time at Arsenal has been far from smooth since his summer move from Chelsea. The England international, once a star at Manchester City, had high hopes for his return to a Premier League contender, but things have not gone as planned. With just 10 appearances to his name this season under Mikel Arteta, and only one goal scored across two Carabao Cup fixtures, Sterling has struggled to secure a regular spot in Arteta’s squad.

When Arsenal signed Sterling on a short-term deal, many saw it as a clever piece of business. Arteta, who worked closely with Sterling at City for several years, was eager to bring the experienced winger to the Emirates, especially with Sterling’s previous success in Arteta’s system at City. The anticipation around the move was high, with hopes that Sterling could help Arsenal push for a top spot in the league while offering versatility and pace to their attack.

However, the reality has been quite different. Despite his pedigree and history under Arteta, Sterling has found it difficult to break into a team brimming with attacking options. His minutes on the pitch have been sparse, amounting to just 146 in the Premier League. While his tally of one goal, scored in the Carabao Cup, is hardly the return expected of a player with his talent, it’s clear that he’s struggled to regain the kind of form that once made him one of the Premier League’s top wingers.

Despite the setbacks, Sterling is reportedly determined to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place in the starting lineup. According to reports in the Evening Standard, the 29-year-old is eager to prove himself to Arteta and secure a regular spot in the team for the remainder of the season. His resolve to fight for a role at Arsenal, even after such a challenging start, speaks volumes about his character and determination.

Arteta, who has always spoken highly of Sterling’s professionalism and work ethic, has acknowledged that injuries and squad rotations have played a role in limiting Sterling’s minutes. The Arsenal boss explained that Sterling has been an important presence in the dressing room and that, in many cases, Sterling’s appearances have been impacted not by tactical decisions, but by the need to manage player workloads due to injuries. This is a sentiment Arteta echoed last week, emphasizing that when he has made substitutions, they’ve often been related to saving players’ legs or avoiding further injuries, rather than a specific game plan.

Still, Sterling remains hungry to showcase his talents. Despite the limited game time, he is fully aware of the competition for places in Arteta’s attacking setup. With the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard ahead of him in the pecking order, Sterling faces a tough task in earning a spot in the starting XI. However, his desire to prove himself is evident, and he has not given up on the opportunity to make an impact at the Emirates.

One of Sterling’s best opportunities to prove his worth may come in the Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace. Historically, Sterling has enjoyed strong performances against Palace, with 11 goals in 18 appearances against them, most of which came during his time at Manchester City. His familiarity with the Eagles will give him confidence going into the match, and it could be the perfect stage for him to show that he still has plenty to offer.

Arteta has shown a willingness to rotate in the Carabao Cup, and with Sterling being a nearly ever-present figure in the competition this season, it’s likely he’ll feature prominently in the upcoming clash. Having missed just nine minutes in previous cup wins over Preston and Bolton, Sterling will be hoping to use this match to stake his claim for more minutes in the league.

Should he perform well against Palace in the Carabao Cup, Sterling might earn himself a chance to start in the Premier League clash against the same opposition just a few days later. His fast-paced style and ability to break down defenses could be invaluable to Arsenal, especially if Arteta looks to rotate his squad ahead of a busy period in the league.

While Sterling’s current focus is on his future at Arsenal, it’s clear that a return to Chelsea is not likely. After falling out of favor with former manager Mauricio Pochettino and being told that he would not be part of Chelsea’s plans for the current season, Sterling has found himself in a difficult position. His situation at Stamford Bridge is far from ideal, with other wingers like Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, and Noni Madueke impressing for the Blues.

Given Chelsea’s reluctance to include Sterling in their long-term plans and the fact that he is already out on loan, it seems unlikely they would recall him in the middle of the season. While Chelsea has shown a willingness to make changes in their squad, bringing Sterling back from his loan at Arsenal would not make sense given his lack of minutes at Chelsea earlier in the campaign. For Sterling, then, a continued stay at Arsenal seems to be the most viable option if he hopes to make an impact and find his rhythm once again.

Sterling’s future at Arsenal hinges largely on his ability to break into Arteta’s starting lineup. With Arsenal’s attacking options growing and the Gunners maintaining a competitive position in both the Premier League and the Champions League, every player will have to prove their worth to the manager. Sterling, despite his lack of playing time this season, still has the potential to make a significant contribution, especially if given more minutes on the pitch.

Arteta is known for his tactical flexibility and his ability to get the best out of players in a system that requires high work rates and versatility. Sterling’s pace, dribbling, and experience could be crucial assets for Arsenal in the second half of the season. With important fixtures ahead, Arteta may turn to Sterling as a key rotation option or as a reliable backup for the regular starters.

Whether he remains content with a bit-part role or eventually forces his way into the starting XI remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Raheem Sterling is not ready to give up on his Arsenal dream just yet. His determination to fight for a place in Arteta’s plans shows that he believes in his ability to contribute, even after a challenging start. With a bit of luck, some good performances, and continued hard work, Sterling could yet play a key role in Arsenal’s pursuit of trophies this season.

Raheem Sterling’s time at Arsenal has not gone according to plan, with limited playing time and only one goal to show for his efforts so far. However, the former Manchester City winger is determined to stay and fight for his place under Mikel Arteta, refusing to be discouraged by his lack of minutes. Arteta’s rotation policy and injuries have certainly played a role in limiting Sterling’s appearances, but the 29-year-old remains focused on proving himself. With an upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace providing a potential opportunity to showcase his skills, Sterling will be hoping to make an impact and force his way into Arteta’s plans for the remainder of the season. Despite his struggles, Sterling’s resolve to stay at Arsenal and fight for a spot shows that he has not given up on his Gunners career just yet.