Mikel Arteta’s decision to loan in Raheem Sterling from Chelsea has not worked out according to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who thinks the manager needs more support
Arsenal legend Ian Wright is urging his old club to not sign Raheem Sterling permanently.
England forward Sterling has failed to make an impact since arriving on loan from Chelsea on deadline day of the summer transfer window. And Wright believes it would be a misstep for Mikel Arteta to keep the 30-year-old at the Emirates beyond this season having contributed just one assist in the Premier League.
“Raheem is having a tough time,” Wright said on his podcast. “I thought it might have turned for him after that little cameo against Man United, he looked sharp. That was the guy we wanted to see.
“It’s not happened anywhere near enough, that’s fair to say. The way it looks, you get the impression that we’re not going to sign him long-term. So what has he got to lose other than to get on it and blast it? I would love to see him go to that place.
“That would give the fans and show he’s trying, that’s what they want to see. When he joined, I thought it was a perfect move.”
Arsenal, who face Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday night, are six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with an extra game played having thrown away their lead against Aston Villa on Saturday evening.
The Gunners are also in the midst of an injury crisis at both ends of the pitch with centre back William Saliba now hamstrung, joining four other defenders on the sidelines alongside key forwards Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
But with Arteta last month celebrating five years in the Arsenal hotseat, Wright reckons the club’s board must support him to bring more success to the club.
“To the board, I still have 100 percent faith in what this man is capable of doing, he’s brought us so close,” Wright said. “But he needs some help. We might not get something in January but it’s imperative that they make some major additions in the summer.
“You need to match the players’ ambition off the pitch. This squad is on its knees, the board has to do something.”
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