'To be transparent': Edu's comments when Arsenal signed Raheem Sterling now very alarming after lack of chances

Yesterday at 12:45 PM

Raheem Sterling returned to the bench for Arsenal during their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Sterling failed to feature for Arsenal as a substitute, an understandable decision given that he's just returned from injury.

However, Mikel Arteta has often overlooked the England international strictly on a tactical basis this season – he's been on the bench 11 times as an unused sub.

In total, Sterling has now made four starts for the Gunners and seven appearances off of the bench, totalling 426 minutes in red.

However, when the Chelsea winger originally arrived in north London on loan, former sporting director Edu Gaspar was very optimistic about what he could bring to the club.

Edu admitted that Arsenal ‘never planned’ to sign Raheem Sterling

Unfortunately for those invested in Arsenal's success, Sterling hasn't been able to provide anything like the impact Edu imagined.

And his comments in an interview shortly after deadline day was concluded, now look very bizarre.

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Edu stated that Sterling wasn't a target for the club originally, something that now seems apparent when considering his lack of chances.

Speaking in September, Edu spoke candidly: "Well, to be fair, we never planned, really, to sign him when we started the transfer window, yeah, just to be very transparent, for different reasons.

"But we always say to everyone, you have to be prepared for every scenario, so when that opportunity came to me, and I checked our squad, I checked how he plays, I spoke to Mikel of course, I spoke to Tim, our vice-chairman, to check if everyone is comfortable for the step that we're going to make (signing Sterling on loan).

"Makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I'm pretty sure that he's going to add a lot in the squad, so he has experience – he understands more than anyone, the league.

"He plays Champions League many times, won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad."

Mikel Arteta needs to trust Raheem Sterling after Bukayo Saka injury

Of course, Arsenal have now lost Bukayo Saka for a long period, who is beginning his recovery from hamstring surgery.

Ethan Nwaneri is also in the treatment room, meaning Sterling's recent return should be a big boost.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are both seriously out of form, two players lacking in confidence.

Now, Arteta will surely have to trust Sterling's ability and experience to help Arsenal through this difficult period.

Otherwise, Arsenal need to sign a Saka replacement, and there's one staring them in the face close by in London.