Mikel Arteta FURIOUS with Arsenal flop and regrets signing him

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 12 Nov 2024 07:59 GMT
• 3 min read

Mikel Arteta is reported to be furious with the performances of Raheem Sterling in Arsenal training and is already questioning whether he made a mistake signing him.

According to Football Insider, Sterling’s performances in training have fallen well short of the levels required from Arteta to warrant being chosen to play in matches.

The report states that Sterling’s effort and energy in training have not been good enough, leaving Arteta very disappointed.

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As a result, Arteta has been very reluctant to use Sterling this season.

Despite the Gunners being decimated by an injury crisis this term, Sterling has barely featured.

He has started just two Premier League matches and made two further substitute appearances totalling 123 minutes of action. He has scored no goals and delivered no assists.

His only goal contribution has come in the League Cup where he has managed a goal and assist.

Sterling completed a Deadline Day loan move to the Emirates with an option to buy after being frozen out of the squad at Chelsea.

It was Sterling’s intention to prove himself and earn a permanent move to Arsenal.

But that now appears unlikely given the lack of impact the 29-year-old has made.

Arteta had been excited to work with Sterling again upon signing him following a fruitful partnership at Manchester City several years ago.

"My time with Raheem was exceptional,” he said of their time together at City.

“We built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at the time we were together. He taught me a lot as well, about individuals, how they - players - think and how we support them. He is someone I have really strong feelings about."

Chelsea are paying a sizeable amount of Sterling’s wages this season as the winger is on £325,000 a week at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal are paying less than half of Sterling’s wages, with no loan fee involved, so at least the financial costs of the loan have not been too damaging for Arsenal.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer news

Sterling at Chelsea

It is the second move in a row that has not gone as planned for Sterling.

Big things were expected of Sterling when he joined Chelsea from Manchester City for €55 million in the summer of 2022.

During seven years at City, Sterling had been one of the best players in the Premier League and a key member of Pep Guardiola’s all-dominant team.

However, Sterling failed to perform for Chelsea as he managed for Man City.

He contributed just 19 goals in 81 appearances for a Chelsea side that finished 12th in his first season at the club, and sixth in his second campaign.