Arteta plans to use Arsenal 29yo more in coming games

Mikel Arteta says the plan is to use Raheem Sterling more often in the coming run of matches, and he can’t fault the loanee’s commitment and effort so far.

After signing for Arsenal on loan on transfer deadline day in August, Raheem Sterling has been used sparingly by Mikel Arteta so far.

The winger has made four starts for Arsenal, but two of them were in the League Cup. Of the two Premier League starts, one only lasted 37 minutes due to William Saliba’s red card.

Sterling’s performances haven’t been particularly bad, and he’s already racked up a goal and two assists in 340 minutes. But he’s yet to really take off with his new club.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Arteta admitted that he would have liked to see Sterling playing more often so far, and he plans to use him more now.

“I would like to see him more to be fair and this is down to me,” Arteta said. “He’s trying his best. His application and commitment around the team has been exceptional and now it’s time for me to give him more minutes.

“That’s the intention. That’s why I put him on against Forest, that’s why I wanted to put him on against Sporting, now getting into that rhythm because he can really impact the team as well.”

Sterling had been on the verge of an introduction against Sporting before Gabriel Magalhaes went down with an injury, forcing Arteta to adapt and bring on Jakub Kiwior instead.

Arteta admitted he was relieved to see that the winger wasn’t upset at his manager over that decision.

“He had a smile on his face, fortunately for me. Things happen in football, unfortunately it happened to him and he reacted the best possible way, which is understanding. He’s been a long time in the game and he knows that this is something I cannot control.”

Sterling might get his next chance to feature for Arsenal in Saturday’s game against West Ham United at 17:30 GMT.