Mikel Arteta has said that Arsenal will not bring Raheem Sterling back from his loan to make room for another Premier League signing, even though the team is struggling with a lack of attacking players. Arsenal’s forward options have been hit hard by injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. Saka is likely to return before the season finishes, but Jesus is out for the rest of the season after having knee surgery. This means Arteta has to depend mostly on Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli for the wide positions, with young player Ethan Nwaneri just coming back after missing four games.
Arteta Dismisses Terminating Sterling’s Loan Amid Arsenal’s Attacking Woes
Raheem Sterling, who is on loan from Chelsea, hasn’t been able to make a big difference in recent games. This includes a quiet performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday. Arsenal can only bring in another Premier League player on loan if they end one of their current loan deals—either Sterling’s or goalkeeper Neto’s loan from Bournemouth. This has led to rumors about possible changes. However, when asked about this, Mikel Arteta clearly said, “We are not thinking about that.” During the January transfer window, Arsenal has been connected with several forwards, such as Benjamin Šeško and Alexander Isak, but it seems unlikely either will move mid-season. Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha has attracted interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest, making his future unclear.
Also Read: Manchester United Should Always Aim For Victory, Says Bruno Fernandes
Arteta Seeks Attacking Reinforcements But Stresses Strategic Recruitment
Arsenal is fighting for the Premier League title and is close to securing a spot in the Champions League last-16 without needing a play-off. Despite this, Mikel Arteta is focused on improving the team’s attack. However, he stressed the importance of being careful with the club’s finances and strategy. “You have limited resources, the ability to sign certain players, develop others, and use players from the academy. It’s all about balance,” Arteta said. He admitted that losing two important forwards has hurt the team, and Arsenal needs more goals, depth, and attacking options. “If we can find the right player, we are looking. But not just anyone—someone who can really make us better. We need some help,” he added.
