‘It’s been difficult’ – Mikel Arteta reveals why Raheem Sterling isn’t getting many minutes at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has admitted his regret at not giving Raheem Sterling enough minutes despite Arsenal’s struggles up front.

The Chelsea loanee, who signed on deadline day, has made just four starts for the Gunners this season, playing just 356 minutes in all competitions.

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Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday, Arteta revealed his reasoning behind Sterling’s secondary role.

The manager said: “There were times. It was hard and very difficult for me too to accept that I didn’t give him more.

“When he hasn’t started games, 90 percent of the substitutions I make are related to gaining minutes or injuries or avoiding injuries. It’s not for tactical reasons.

“I would like him to play a lot more because I think he can have a very good impact on the team. He is very good in the dressing room and he is absolutely desperate to play.

“He had this very important role, impacting every game, and so you’re in that position for a while. Not only here but also at Chelsea.

“So it’s still very difficult and I feel a lot of sympathy for the players when they’re in this moment. I hope we can change it.

The Gunners have been hit by a back injury crisis with five players currently out, all defenders.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori are all unavailable.

The manager cited it as the reason why Sterling failed to make a significant impact, but it wasn’t just injuries that saw the England winger snubbed.

Sterling started against Bournemouth in October but was replaced in the 37th minute by Jakub Kiwior following William Saliba’s red card.

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The 30-year-old was sacrificed to plug the hole in his back four, but in hindsight it could be said that decision backfired.

In a game where Arsenal struggled, Sterling was energetic, trying to take charge of his backline and create for his teammates.

And his replacement was a major blow to the Gunners’ attacking output, with Bournemouth ultimately securing a surprise 2-0 victory over the title contenders.

Sterling played an important role in the Carabao Cup, starting both matches and impressing particularly against Bolton.

The 30-year-old scored in that match and also set up Ethan Nwaneri to score his first goal for Arsenal at 17.

Arsenal fans have criticized former sporting director Edu Gaspar for failing to sign a big-name striker such as Nico Williams or Benjamin Sesko.

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The problem has only been exacerbated throughout the opening months of the 2024/25 campaign by the team’s sometimes wastefulness in front of goal.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have struggled with three league goals each, but Sterling remains behind them in the pecking order.

An unusual situation, given Arteta was Manchester City’s assistant manager during Sterling’s era.

Fans were hoping he could breathe new life into the winger, but the Spaniard barely gave Sterling a chance.