It was a familiar tale for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side against Manchester United in their 1-1 draw on Sunday evening.
Arsenal dominated possession for long spells of the game but their lack of threat up top meant that Man United were always in the game.
Arteta’s side struggled to create good chances despite how often they were just outside United’s 18-yard-box with the ball – a reality of their strikerless endeavours.
Mikel Merino worked hard again, but there’s no chance that Arteta will be altering his plans to keep using the Spaniard as a number nine next season.
Of course, throughout Arsenal’s frustrations in front of goal, Raheem Sterling was simply looking on from the bench at Old Trafford, a winger who is clearly struggling to impress Arteta.
Gary Neville suggests that Mikel Arteta is done with Raheem Sterling
That being said, Gary Neville said what he thought Sterling must be thinking sat there as an unused substitute when the Gunners were chasing a goal.
Arteta opted to bring Kieran Tierney on at left wing instead of Sterling, which must hurt for a player who has 82 caps and 30 goals for England.
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Simply put, Sterling hasn’t been good enough when handed chances for Arsenal this season, and Arteta no longer seems to have faith in the 30-year-old to influence games positively.
Sharing his observations, Neville said: “It does tell you where Mikel Arteta is at though with Raheem Sterling, that he’s not willing to put him on with 20 minutes to go and they’re desperate for a goal – they look toothless in attack.
“He’s sat there on the bench and it looks like Tierney is going to come on – Raheem Sterling is unmoved.
“I suspect there’s not great thoughts going through his head.”
What does the future hold for Raheem Sterling after Arsenal?
Of course, it would be a huge surprise if Arsenal made Sterling’s loan a permanent move in the summer.
Arsenal are possibly targeting five new signings under their prospective new sporting director Andrea Berta, and Sterling doesn’t fit any of the criteria.
Sterling once said he wanted to play in MLS, but it remains to be seen what the winger has planned once he returns to Stamford Bridge.
It’s been a difficult time for the former Manchester City player in north London so far, but perhaps there is still time for Sterling to contribute positively in what remains for Arsenal this season.
And given the Gunners are 7-1 up against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on aggregate, Sterling might be handed a start during the second leg on Wednesday.
