Gary Neville expressed doubts over Arsenal‘s intent to recruit Raheem Sterling – suggesting the winger’s move played a role in the club’s quiet January window.
Despite Sterling’s storied Premier League experience, his contribution at Arsenal has been underwhelming, with just one goal in 21 games across all competitions since his deadline day transfer from Chelsea last summer.
The acquisition of the four-time Premier League champion followed unsuccessful attempts to land a striker, with links to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko falling through. Neville feels that Sterling was signed on the eve of the window’s closure primarily for depth purposes, rather than as a significant boost to Arsenal’s forward line.
Commenting on the Stick to Football podcast, backed by Sky Bet, the ex-Manchester United captain said: “I’m not sure the club wanted to sign Sterling. I think Arteta’s thought, ‘I can get him centre forward, left wing, right wing’ and he’s gone in there and said ‘he’s my cover for those three positions.'”
Neville implied that Sterling’s lacklustre performance might have deterred Arsenal’s hierarchy from making further signings, in spite of a growing list of injured attackers. “I think what’s happened is they’ve backed him and I think it’s put them off doing another deal in January of the same ilk because they’re thinking, ‘Well we’ve already brought in Raheem in so if you’re not going to use him, what’s the point of adding someone else.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Then all of a sudden, Havertz gets injured, and you’re done,” reports the Mirror. Arsenal’s injury woes, with both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the season, alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s hamstring injuries, have inevitably given Sterling more playing opportunities, as seen when he started during the 2-0 victory against Leicester City.
After 80 minutes, he was replaced by Mikel Merino who went on to score two late goals, confirming the win for the Gunners. After the game, Arteta insisted on the winger’s essential role in the team stating: “Yes, and he has to have it because we really need him.
“But we are all behind him, we are the best for him and it’s going to be really important and we need his best. And we need the players only with that mindset to be here to impact the team.”
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