Raheem Sterling Loan at Arsenal is becoming a disappointing one
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Arsenal has reportedly resolved to continue with Raheem Sterling’s loan deal, despite his underwhelming contributions and recent injury struggles.
The 30-year-old Chelsea winger joined the Gunners on a season-long loan late in the summer transfer window, with Chelsea subsidizing a significant portion of his wages.
Sterling’s arrival was seen as a low-risk, high-reward move for Arsenal, but the forward has struggled to make a meaningful impact, managing only 426 minutes across all competitions.
His lack of game time has fueled speculation about an early termination of his loan deal, especially with Arsenal looking to bolster their squad in the upcoming January transfer window.
Premier League clubs are restricted to loaning two players from other EPL sides per season. With Arsenal already taking Sterling from Chelsea and goalkeeper Neto from Bournemouth, bringing in another loanee would require one of them to depart.
Adding to the dilemma, Sterling’s potential to step up amidst Bukayo Saka’s injury was hindered by his own knee problem. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Sterling’s setback, stating on December 23:
He’s going to be out a while.
Despite this, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that neither Sterling nor Chelsea intends to cut the loan short. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said:
The intention of the player is not to leave Arsenal in January. Despite having some problems in the sense of not playing on a regular basis like he was hoping to, Raheem Sterling is still convinced that the second half of the season can be important for him at Arsenal.
Sterling is not planning to leave Arsenal in January, cutting his loan and returning to Chelsea is not part of the plans.
And I can guarantee also that Chelsea have no plans to recall Sterling.
Criticism from Arsenal Legend
Sterling’s performances have drawn criticism, including sharp remarks from former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit. Reflecting on the player’s struggles, Petit commented:
Something just doesn’t seem to be right with Raheem Sterling this season. If you take away his speed, what else does he offer?
I have the feeling that Sterling is not hungry anymore. I think he thinks that he’s achieved all he needs to achieve in football and this isn’t how it works in top-level professional football.
I think this is why he’s not performing because he doesn’t want to keep going and he doesn’t have the same ambition as when he was a youngster.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
While Sterling remains hopeful about his role in Arsenal’s title charge, Arteta may have to explore alternative options during Saka’s absence.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown suggested rising star Ethan Nwaneri could step in. Speaking to talkSPORT, Keown stated:
It’s up to someone to step up, maybe [Ethan] Nwaneri, who has been playing in the [Martin] Odegaard role, maybe he could come into the front line and give us something different.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continues to monitor potential transfer targets like Matheus Cunha, Nico Williams, and Benjamin Sesko. However, substantial moves are more likely in the summer transfer window, according to reports from The Athletic.
Sterling’s future at Arsenal hinges on his ability to recover from injury and rediscover the form that once made him one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers.
As the January window approaches, all eyes will be on Arteta and Arsenal’s next move.