Arsenal must drop Mikel Arteta favourite and £45m star to unlock Raheem Sterling
Mikel Arteta is facing a team selection conundrum at Arsenal, and deadline-day signing Raheem Sterling could provide the answer to his concerns.
The winger joined the Gunners on a season-long loan from Chelsea over the summer after a disappointing stint at Stamford Bridge, and the England international is desperate to get his career back on track and prove he is still capable of challenging for trophies.
Sterling’s revival could begin this weekend when Arsenal face Manchester City, though Arteta may have to tweak his starting XI to get the best out of the 29-year-old. Express Sport takes a look at how Arsenal may need to line up to allow Sterling to thrive…
Gabriel Martinelli struggled for extended periods of last season, and he has failed to repay the faith of his manager in recent weeks as well.
The Brazil international appears to be drained of confidence and his end product has raised eyebrows. Although Sterling can play through the middle and replace Martin Odegaard, it may be most beneficial to allow Martinelli to sit on the substitutes bench in the short term.
Although Jesus and Sterling have linked up at City previously, Kai Havertz is the focal point of Arsenal’s attack and remains first-choice No. 9 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Germany international brings the very best out of his teammates with his hold-up play and unselfish work off the ball, and he could be the player who facilitates Sterling’s skillset. With Jesus lacking match fitness – similarly to Sterling – Arteta cannot risk two of his three forwards being off of the boil.
With Odegaard reportedly ruled out for a matter of months, Arteta must now rejig his midfield three to ensure that the absence of his skipper is not hard-hitting. Trossard failed to make an impact in the No. 10 role against Tottenham but has shown previously that regular opportunities are pivotal for his form.
Playing Trossard through the middle would allow the Belgium international to naturally interchange with Sterling on the left when the loanee cuts inside onto his favoured right foot, and the duo could be a defensive nightmare if developing a link-up that drags defenders out of position and into uncomfortable areas of the pitch.
