Mikel Arteta has addressed the ongoing issue of Raheem Sterling’s limited playing time at Arsenal, explaining that it is not due to tactical reasons. Despite joining the Gunners on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, Sterling has started just four matches across all competitions this season.
The 30-year-old’s last start was in Arsenal’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Preston on October 30, but since then, he has made only two brief substitute appearances. Ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming match against Everton, Arteta shed light on the situation, revealing that Sterling’s lack of minutes is more a result of circumstances rather than a tactical decision.
“There have been moments,” Arteta said. “It’s been tough for me to accept that I haven’t given him more. When he hasn’t started, 90 percent of the substitutions I make are related to managing minutes, injuries, or avoiding injuries. It’s not tactical reasons.”
Arteta expressed his admiration for Sterling, both as a player and a character within the squad. He acknowledged Sterling’s eagerness to contribute and emphasized the difficult nature of the situation for the forward, having also faced similar struggles at Chelsea.
“I would like him to play much more. I think he can impact the team in a very good way. He’s very good in the dressing room and absolutely desperate to play. He had this very important role at Chelsea, impacting every game, and suddenly you are in this position for a while,” Arteta explained.
Despite Sterling’s lack of game time, Arteta has provided opportunities for young players like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have impressed in recent appearances. Arteta praised the duo for their development and noted that the team’s strong dressing room culture has played a significant role in their progress.
“It’s unbelievable,” Arteta said of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly. “The way the dressing room looks after them, the standards they can see and aspire to, that’s a great example. The academy has historically been very successful, but sometimes you get a lot of players coming through in the same position. They need time in the squad and a role within it, and that’s when you can throw a player in.”
Arteta emphasized the importance of finding the right context and environment for young players to thrive. He also highlighted the immense challenge of stepping up from Premier League to Champions League football, a jump that Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are showing they can handle.
As Sterling continues to wait for more opportunities, Arteta remains hopeful that his situation will improve, both for the player and for the team.
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