Expert: Arsenal raise new Raheem Sterling 'concern' after latest blow
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Arsenal are “concerned” about the level of Raheem Sterling’s performances since his move to the Emirates in the summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Sterling has yet to perform to the level expected of him.
The 30-year-old missed out on Arsenal’s 5-1 win against Crystal Palace due to an injury, but was withdrawn after 70 minutes in the 3-2 win against the same opponents on 18 December.
Since arriving at the club on loan from Chelsea, he has made 11 appearances across all competitions, but has started just five of those, scored one goal and provided two assists.
After Bukayo Saka’s injury blow, which Mikel Arteta confirmed is set to sideline him for “many weeks”, the Gunners are in need of new wide options in their squad.
Football Insider revealed on 4 November that they are plotting a move to sign a “superstar” winger in the January transfer window.
However, Brown has insisted that the need to add new options to their squad in next month’s window has been increased by Sterling’s underwhelming performances.
Arsenal ‘concerned’ about Raheem Sterling after Bukayo Saka blow
Upon his arrival, there was hope that Sterling would add quality depth to Arteta’s side, but he has yet to show the level they have been looking for, highlighted by his lack of first-team minutes.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after spending over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the winger’s performances have raised questions about issues behind the scenes.
“That’s another issue they’ve got,” he told Football Insider.
“I think something has happened behind the scenes there that we don’t know.
“Chelsea couldn’t wait to get rid of him, and Maresca made sure of that by threatening to leave him out of his squad and all of that.
“Arsenal took him and thought they’d got a great deal by getting him in on loan.
“But when he’s played, he’s looked way off the level you’d expect Raheem Sterling to be at, to the point where he’s hardly kicked a ball for them.
“A lot of the time, even when he’s named on the bench, there are three or four players ahead of him in the line to come on.
“That will be a concern for Arsenal because, at a time when they’re in need of top-quality options out wide, he hasn’t shown the level they’re looking for.“
In other news, Kieran Tierney opens door for sensational Celtic return.
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The post Expert: Arsenal raise new Raheem Sterling 'concern' after latest blow appeared first on Football Insider.
