Thursday, December 5, 2024

Arteta plans more Sterling minutes, delighted by Odegaard impact

After a late cameo against Nottingham Forest, which included an assist for Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling looked set for a second appearance in four days in the closing stages of Arsenal’s win over Sporting Lisbon.

The 29-year-old was stripped off and ready to replace Bukayo Saka with 10 minutes remaining when Mikel Arteta was forced to change his plans due to an injury to Gabriel Magalhaes. Sterling was sent back to the bench and Jakub Kiwior was given a run-out instead.

Having fed off scraps since joining the Gunners on loan from Chelsea, it was another moment of frustration for the England international. Luckily, he took the situation well and knows more opportunities are on the horizon.

Asked about Sterling’s reaction on Tuesday night, manager Mikel Arteta was happy to report there was “nothing” from the player, just “a smile on his face, fortunately for me.”

“It’s a thing that happen in football,” he added. “Unfortunately it happened to him and he reacted in the best possible way, which is understanding. He’s been a long time in the game and he knows that this is something that I cannot control.”

When Sterling made a Transfer Deadline Day dash across London to join Arsenal, he may well have expected more than four starts in the 15 games he’s so far been available for. While it’s an evolving situation, the manager empathises with the player.

“I would like to see him more, to be fair, and this is down to me,” said Arteta.

“He’s trying his best, his application, his commitment around the team has been exceptional and now it’s time for me to give him more minutes.”

With Arsenal facing eight games before the end of the year, it feels inevitable that Sterling will get more game time even if Bukayo Saka’s status as a starter goes unquestioned.

“That’s the intention, that’s why I put him against Forest, that’s why I wanted to put him on against Sporting and now get him in that rhythm because he can really impact the team.”

On the subject of impacting the team, the manager is delighted with the output of captain Martin Odegaard since his return from injury.

After an appearance off the bench in the defeat to Inter Milan earlier in the month, the Norwegian has started three consecutive matches against Chelsea, Forest and Sporting and already has his side playing with more attacking fluidity.

“Good players that are so consistent, so reliable that can take their game to a different level, make the players better around them,” reflected Artreta. “That’s a huge quality of Martin and, yeah, he’s been missed.”

He was also quick to praise the midfielder’s application during his recovery from ankle ligament damage.

“The way he prepared himself, how much work he put in with all the physios and the medical department to get in the best possible condition to face this period, the importance of the season that we are in at the moment, and to hit the ground running was exceptional. Since the Chelsea game, he’s been very consistent the last three games.”

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BelgianGooner

Unsure I would start Sterling above Trossard and Martinelli but Mikel knows better than me so let’s wait for tomorrow’s afternoon

CLE

It will be interesting to see Sterling with Odegaard. That combination really hasn’t seen much time yet and may bring more out of Sterling who doesn’t seem to have the have anymore to create 1v1

Dr. Gooner

His superpower was never the 1 v1, it’s the little darting runs
behind the defenders. He has special first step quickness, so he gets separation even in very small spaces. That’s why he slayed at City, who were always looking to break low blocks and had no shortage of special passers (Silva, KdB, Mahrez… pffff), so he would get chance after chance to receive in the penalty box, and he was so quick the defenders were always a half step behind, hence all the penalties. I completely agree he needs a playmaker or three to supply him.

Teryima Adi

Raheem will start to put in sterling performances very soon.

Heavenly Chapecoense

I don’t know why but Sterling was part of the two or three players of other teams that I had a lot of respect for.

djourou's nutmeg

i don’t think he expected much more when joining us. it was either this or staying at that shithole playing for the chav’s u23. surely he’d like to play more but his current situation must be a blessing compared to that. he’s gonna have more game time in december and to be honest i’d start him over martinelli at the moment, so hopefully we get to see him tomorrow and he delivers

Mark

Certainly don’t think he is the threat he was when he was with Liverpool and City, but has to be able to offer more than he has when he’s played (which has been sparingly of course). We already have two solid players splitting time on the left with Trossard and Martinelli and he is not going to play in front of Saka unless he is injured (and even then one could argue Jesus is a better option in that situation), but for me I would much rather see Nwaneri get minutes when Saka is taken off than a player we… Read more »

Giuseppe Hovno

He’s only 29 I think he can still be great

Emi Rates

With the FA Cup games next year there should definitely be a need for his services.

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