Former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant has told us that he believes Raheem Sterling would fit better at a different team than the Gunners.
Sterling, 29, joined the Gunners from London rivals Chelsea when he was told by manager Enzo Maresca that he was no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge.
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The ex-Manchester City man is on loan at the Emirates, but he’s yet to make much of an impact making just six Premier League appearances including just one start.
Sterling’s contract at Chelsea runs until 2027, but it is likely that he will leave for a different club in the summer whether that be Arsenal or somewhere else.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant told us alongside Mega Dice: “It is a tough one. Once you’ve had a career like he’s had you still think you can do it at the top teams, where you probably can, but there’s obviously players who are in front of you, so your time is very limited.
“He’s not going to be a permanent fixture in Man City or Chelsea or Liverpool or Arsenal, but he’s still a talent, you know? Yes, he’s getting a little bit older and he may have lost a tiny bit of sharpness but he’s just at this point in his career, he won’t be a starter for the top four teams.
“If he wants to reignite his career then his best option in the summer is to look downwards. As a top player, you never want to do that. You never want to feel like you’re going backwards, but sometimes you got to go backwards to go forwards. There are teams that probably would suit him better than the top four.”
Raheem Sterling’s limited Arsenal opportunity
Due to the quality that Mikel Arteta has at his disposal in the form of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the wings, it has been very difficult for Sterling to find a role.
Furthermore, as the 29-year-old is only on loan with the Gunners, Arsenal have no motivation to force him to have game time unlike youngster Ethan Nwaneri who Arteta has been playing over Sterling in recent weeks.
With Nwaneri being just 17-years-old, he provides more upside for the Gunners and so has become a priority for Mikel Arteta from the substitutes bench.