‘Raheem Sterling left in the dark at Arsenal’ after Chelsea exit decision
Arsenal winger Raheem Sterling remains in the dark on his future at the club once his current loan from Chelsea expires.
The 30-year-old’s move from the Blues to the Gunners in the summer has not gone to plan, with the former Man City man starting only five Premier League games during his stint in North London.
Whilst Sterling’s on-pitch impact has been disappointing, the winger has at least had a positive impact off the pitch on Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka, becoming an important figure around Arsenal’s training ground.
As the end of the season draws near, questions have been raised about who the winger may be playing for next season.
Chelsea are keen to find a permanent solution for Sterling and have no plans on paying out the rest of the winger’s contract.
However, as reported by MailSport, the England international has not been communicated either the Blues’ and Arsenal’s plans for his future.
Raheem Sterling unaware of Arsenal decision on his future
The report states that neither Sterling, nor his camp, have received communications from Arsenal telling them that he will not be signed permanently following the expiration of his season-long loan deal.
No conversations have been had between the parties relating to next season, as the focus remains on the current campaign.
As far as Sterling is aware, there has been no decision reached yet on his future and a return to Chelsea remains on the cards.
However, Football Insider have reported via Pete O’Rourke that Arsenal have reached a decision on Sterling’s future, with the club having no plans to make his deal a permanent one.
Raheem Sterling at a crossroads in his footballing career
Football Insider Verdict
Whether he remains in North London, moves back to West London, or chooses to leave the capital completely, Sterling will not be short of options, or suitors, this coming transfer window.
The issue is, none of them are really that appealing. The ex-City winger has barely featured for Arsenal, and remaining with the side would be a death-blow to his career, whilst the 30-year-old’s relationship with Enzo Maresca is strained, to say the least.
Alternatively, and this is rarely a good sign for any Premier League footballer past 28 or so, Saudi Arabia has been mooted as an option, and whilst he would play regularly there, it remains a league of has-beens, for now.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Sterling |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Starts | 5 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Minutes | 352 |
Sterling is keen to remain in the Premier League, which makes sense, but finding a club who could come near to covering some of his wages, let alone all of them, would be a challenge.
What’s more, whilst plenty would like to have him, the league is going through a tactical renaissance, based around high-pressing and lethally fast build-up play, strong suits of the ex-Liverpool man in the past, less so now.
Whatever decision Sterling does make will likely be the most defining of his career, be it the beginning of a new era for the 30-year-old, or perhaps accepting that time is catching up with him, and quitting whilst you’re ahead is never the worst option.
He is on the bench for the crucial Champions League return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu so there is always the possibility of a memorable impact that could yet change his current trajectory at Arsenal.