Arsenal flop refuses to be offloaded in January

Carlo Garganese

• 17 Dec 2024 02:39 CST
• 3 min read

Raheem Sterling is refusing to give up on his Arsenal career and will reject any move away from the club in January.

There have been growing reports in recent weeks that Sterling’s struggles at the Emirates could lead to Arsenal cutting short his loan spell in the January transfer.

But the Evening Standard reports that Sterling is determined to fight for his place and win over manager Mikel Arteta’s trust.

Sterling completed a summer Deadline Day loan move to Arsenal 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 after a disastrous start to his career at the Emirates.

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.

Arteta has expressed his sympathy for Sterling but says he has been unable to give him more opportunities recently.

What did Arteta say?

“He’s very good in the dressing room and is absolutely desperate to play,” Arteta said last week.

“When he hasn’t started the games, 90 per cent of the subs that I make is related to saving minutes or because of injuries or avoiding injuries. It’s not tactical reasons.”

Sterling’s struggles have not helped an Arsenal team who have fallen well below expectations so far this season.

Arsenal are out of the title race currently as they are six points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game extra.

A big reason for their struggles has been their goal-shy attack, with only Bukayo Saka consistently performing at a top level this term.