Mikel Arteta made a number of telling decisions as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Spaniard opted to bring Kieran Tierney on to play down the left flank – leaving Raheem Sterling on the bench – while he also showed his frustration by walking out of an interview with Sky Sports after the final whistle, when asked about the Premier League title race.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool |
29 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 69 | 27 | 42 | 70 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal |
28 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 52 | 24 | 28 | 55 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest |
28 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 45 | 33 | 12 | 51 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea |
28 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 53 | 36 | 17 | 49 |
It was ultimately a disappointing day for Arsenal – who saw Gabriel Martinelli squander a late opportunity, leaving them 15 points behind Liverpool.
After the draw, Paul Merson said one man might feel like he has already played his final game for Arsenal.
Paul Merson says Raheem Sterling may feel his Arsenal career is over
As aforesaid, Arteta opted to leave the England international on the bench for the entire 90 minutes, despite needing a goal to stay in the title race.
Discussing that decision alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Redknapp and Roy Keane in the Sky Sports studio, Merson said: “He (Sterling) was probably sat there wondering if he’ll ever play again for Arsenal.”
It does speak volumes that Arteta chose Tierney, a natural left-back, over the Chelsea loanee, who boasts 123 goals and 64 assists in 391 Premier League appearances, as well as being a four-time champion.
Micah Richards feels Sterling has lost some sharpness – a notion supported by the fact he has failed to score in 12 Premier League outings so far this season.
Are Arsenal obligated to buy Raheem Sterling?
With some loans – such as the one involving Jadon Sancho leaving Manchester United for Chelsea – an obligation to buy is involved.
Therefore, some Arsenal fans might wonder whether they have to buy Sterling – who would like to play MLS football – from Chelsea at the end of the season.
Fortunately for the Gunners – on the basis of his unconvincing performances – they do not have to take the man from Kingston on a permanent basis this summer, although his exit will leave the attacking department even more short of options, so Arteta has to recruit at least one new forward in the transfer window.
