Mikel Arteta has admitted he erred by not utilizing Raheem Sterling in Arsenal’s last two losses.
Sterling, who joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea this summer, remained an unused substitute during their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United last Saturday and again in their 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter Milan midweek.
According to Metro, Arteta concedes the England international could have made a difference.
“That was a decision of mine, nothing to do with Raz,” Arteta explained. “Somebody got it wrong, and it was me.”
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Sterling’s Role and Ineligibility for Chelsea Fixture
Sterling will be unavailable for Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League match at Stamford Bridge due to loan restrictions preventing him from playing against Chelsea.
Arteta acknowledged Sterling’s importance moving forward, saying, “It’s about finding the right moment and player profile to impact the game.”
When asked if Sterling has a “big role” in Arsenal’s season, Arteta affirmed, “Yes.”
Addressing Arsenal’s Goal Scoring Challenges
Arteta also expressed concern over Arsenal’s struggles to score, emphasizing the need for consistent goals to secure wins.
“We need to find solutions, and ultimately, those solutions are goals,” he stated. “Only if the ball ends up in the back of the net can we judge if a solution works. That’s the key in this job.”
