Chelsea loaned Raheem Sterling to Arsenal last summer after he was sidelined by manager Enzo Maresca
Chelsea loaned Raheem Sterling to Arsenal last summer after he was sidelined by manager Enzo Maresca. While Arsenal has six Premier League fixtures remaining, beginning with a match against struggling Ipswich Town, their primary focus has now shifted to the Champions League.
Despite their disappointing decline in the title race since the start of the year, a strong Champions League performance could overshadow their league struggles.
After defeating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Arsenal's belief in their potential to win the tournament has soared. They now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, with a potential final against either Barcelona or Inter Milan awaiting them.
This season, the top five teams in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League, allowing Arsenal to treat the league as a secondary focus. With upcoming matches against lower-ranked teams like Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, and Southampton, manager Mikel Arteta aims to maintain momentum but is likely to prioritize squad rotation for the Champions League. Given the numerous injuries the team has faced, safeguarding players becomes essential.
In this context, players vying for starting positions, like Sterling, may find themselves with increased playing time in the Premier League. Currently on loan at the Emirates, Sterling has struggled to make an impact, scoring just one goal in 999 minutes of play. To secure a permanent move to Arsenal, he must capitalize on the opportunities ahead.
Following a performance that included two assists in a 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven, Sterling expressed his confidence. “I know what I’m capable of. It’s up to me to keep knocking at the door,” he stated, emphasizing his determination to contribute positively to the team.
Arteta has shown support for Sterling, acknowledging his experience and readiness. "Raheem is so experienced... He’s fully focused, trained really well this week, and is ready to go again," Arteta remarked, highlighting the expectation for Sterling to make an impact.
However, if Sterling fails to seize these opportunities, he risks returning to an uncertain situation at Stamford Bridge. Maresca had bluntly indicated Sterling's lack of fit within his plans, stating, "I prefer a different kind of winger," and warning that Sterling would struggle for playing time in the squad.
As Arsenal prepares for their forthcoming match against Ipswich Town, all eyes will be on Sterling to see if he can make the most of his chances and impact the club's aspirations for success this season, according to a report from Football London.
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