Raheem Sterling ‘devastated’ in Arsenal draw, Mikel Arteta ‘not having him one bit’
Raheem Sterling saw his tough loan spell at Arsenal continue against Nottingham Forest, leading to Clinton Morrison giving a startling insight into the mindset of the attacker.
The former Birmingham and Crystal Palace striker suggested that the on-loan Chelsea will be “devastated” by his struggles with Mikel Arteta’s side following the goalless draw.
Sterling made the temporary move to the Emirates Stadium back in the summer transfer following a challenging period with the Blues.
The attacker though found it difficult to make an impact after his move to North London, with some Arsenal fans calling for Sterling’s loan to be terminated.
Now even as potential opportunities had seemingly emerged for the 30-year-old with the Gunners, those struggles have continued.
Raheem Sterling frustrations continue against Nottingham Forest
Arteta’s side have been dealt some major injury blows in attack in recent weeks, with the likes of Kai Havertz being ruled out for the season.
That had led to some suggesting that Sterling would be given the chance to step up and prove his worth for Arsenal.
So far though that is yet to happen with the attacker starting just one of the Gunners’ last seven Premier League games, despite a lack of alternative attacking options.
| Raheem Sterling for Arsenal in 2024/25 | Total (as per Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 21 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
| Minutes Played | 844 |
Indeed, as Arsenal took on Nottingham Forest on Wednesday (26 February), Sterling was left on the bench with the likes of midfielder Mikel Merino and teenager Ethan Nwaneri instead starting in attack.
With the England international remaining on the bench as his team searched for a breakthrough, Morrison feels Sterling will believe he has now been written off by Arteta.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Special with Sterling still on the bench in the 71st minute of the game, the ex-Republic of Ireland international said (8:58pm): “If I’m Raheem Sterling and my team are going for the title and I’m sitting on the bench, and there’s this much gone in the game, I’d be devastated.
“Because I’d be looking to bring on an attacking player at the moment. It goes to show me the manager is not having me one bit.”
Raheem Sterling may want out of Arsenal as wait for game time continues
Football Insider Verdict
Sterling did in the end get off the bench on the 77th minute of the game, but that is unlikely to be much consolation for the England international in the circumstances, with the short cameo unable to make the difference.
He will have hoped this move to Arsenal would have given him the chance to kickstart his career again after a tough period with Chelsea.
After a slow start, those injuries in attack looked as though they had opened the door for Sterling to finally nail down a starting space of his own in the side.
That though has not happened which will be frustrating, and the fact he is now behind youngsters and midfielders in the attacking pecking order could wreck his confidence, given his side’s need for goals.
Brief cameos for Arsenal are not going to be enough for him to convince Chelsea or anyone else to take a chance on him come the summer either, which will raise questions about his long-term prospects too.