Raheem Sterling despair: Sky Sports pundit has head in hands over Arsenal man
Arsenal winger Raheem Sterling missed a stoppage-time penalty against Girona in the Champions League, leaving Tim Sherwood covering his face with his hands.
Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Girona in the Champions League despite an early setback following Neto’s costly mistake, which allowed former Tottenham player Arnaut Danjuma to open the scoring.
Jorginho’s penalty and a stunning long-range strike from Ethan Nwaneri sealed the win for Mikel Arteta’s side.
However, there was late drama when Arsenal were awarded another penalty in stoppage time. Sterling stepped up but saw his effort saved by Girona’s Pau Lopez.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Special, Sherwood admitted he was disappointed for Sterling, saying:
“Oh, he’s missed it. The goalkeeper has made a great save. I really wanted him to score because he’s played so well and needed that confidence. But it won’t change anything. I’m just disappointed for Raheem.”
Arsenal remain patient with Raheem Sterling despite pressure
Football Insider Verdict
The Gunners have secured automatic qualification to the Round of 16 in the Champions League, finishing third in the final standings.
While Sterling’s missed penalty didn’t impact the outcome of the game against Girona, it may have affected his confidence, especially considering it was a rare start for the winger.
So far this season, he has made just 15 appearances, accumulating 633 minutes of play. He’s scored only once, a goal in the Carabao Cup against Bolton.
Arsenal fans have been underwhelmed by his performances, with some even calling for his loan deal to be cancelled.
If the club decided to terminate his loan, it could free up space for another domestic loan, as they’ve already filled the quota with Sterling and Neto.
However, the club seems hesitant to take that step, meaning any new signings would likely need to be from abroad or a permanent deal.
Given the injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the need for a more reliable attacker is becoming increasingly urgent. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will make a move before the window closes.
In other news, Arsenal fans have reacted in response to reports with the club making a move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
For more Arsenal news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.