Arsenal are in the Champions League quarter finals.Arsenal are in the Champions League quarter finals.
Arsenal are in the Champions League quarter finals. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Raheem Sterling put in a head-turning performance in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
Arsenal forward Raheem Sterling was named player of the match as the Gunners booked a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side went into that clash with a 7-1 advantage and needed to little to ensure their progress in the European tournament. Now 15 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race and knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the Champions League remains Arsenal’s last realistic chance of silverware this season.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice were on the scoresheet for Arsenal in the second leg against PSV but it was another first team star who sparkled. Sterling, who is spending the season on loan at the Emirates Stadium from Chelsea, set up both of his side’s goals in a purring performance.
Raheem Sterling delight with PSV performance
Sterling laid on Zinchenko for his rocket of a goal and delivered a venomous cross for Rice to nod in from. The 30-year-old has scored just once himself for Arsenal this season, in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers, and has just four assists across all 23 appearances.
Taking to social media after the game, a determined Sterling shared a series of nine photos from the action, leading with a grinning shot of him with his player of the match trophy. In the caption, he wrote: “Quarter finals [green tick emoji]. Whole Team Effort [applause emoji].”
The post had thousands of comments by the morning with several Premier League pals sharing some love for the winger, who has endured a tricky season. Aston Villa midfielder Leon Bailey led the praise and wrote: “My Killy.”
West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville also dropped some flame emojis with Sheffield Wednesday man Nathaniel Chalobah saying ‘love it Raz’. Arsenal colleagues Jurrien Timber and Gabriel also praised the player, along with Villains man Ian Maatsen and Millwall rising star Benicio Baker-Boaitey.
Chelsea loanee determined to make impact at Arsenal
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Sterling spoke out about his difficult season at Arsenal but was adamant he had a part to play under Arteta. He said: "It was nice to be out there and contribute to the team. I know what I am capable of. You just want to be playing. You are at a top club with top players and you just have to wait for your moment. And that is what I am doing. I am still faithful that I have still got a big part to play.
"You can only control what you can control. I have not had as many minutes as I would have liked but I have had the opportunities. It is down to myself to keep knocking at the door. I believe within myself that I have a lot to play here, whether it is 10 minutes, 45 or a start. I just need to be ready and try and help the team as much as possible.
"With a leader like Mikel he is not someone I want to be knocking at his door physically, he is the one in charge. All I can do is what I can do which is on the training field or here. It's down to me to keep pushing and have that in his thought process."
In other news, incoming Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is prioritising two midfield signings this summer, including a Newcastle United man.