Arsenal have uncharacteristically been dropping matches in current weeks.
The Gunners have been overwhelmed in Champions League on Wednesday evening by Inter, which got here off the again of a Premier League defeat to Newcastle United simply days earlier.
Having additionally surprisingly misplaced in opposition to Bournemouth following the October worldwide break, in addition to dropping factors in opposition to Liverpool, Mikel Arteta’s facet have received solely two of their final six video games in all competitions. However their final Premier League victory was again on 5 October.
These outcomes have seen Arsenal fall off the tempo set by Liverpool within the title race, seven factors behind the Reds. They’ve additionally slipped out of the highest 4 for no less than the time being because of Nottingham Forest’s shock type and Chelsea’s resurgence.
Forward of assembly the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal are degree factors with their London rivals however marginally behind on aim distinction. It’s a must-win sport for each.
One participant who will not be concerned, nevertheless, is Raheem Sterling.
Sterling was a shock addition for the Gunners on the finish of the summer season switch window as Chelsea sought to trim a bloated squad and offload gamers not a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Manchester United have been linked with the previous Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis winger, nevertheless it was Arsenal who ended up taking him on mortgage throughout 2024/25.
The Gunners will not be believed to have paid a mortgage payment for Sterling and it has been reported that they’re paying considerably lower than 50% of his wage – maybe even as little as £100,000 per week of a contract price £325,000 – with Chelsea masking the remaining.
However the truth that Sterling is on mortgage from Chelsea is why he can’t be concerned on Sunday, with Premier League guidelines outlawing gamers from that includes in opposition to their dad or mum membership. It was as soon as the case that the golf equipment may agree that between themselves, which famously noticed Lomana LuaLua rating for Portsmouth in opposition to Newcastle in 2004. The principles have been modified afterwards in consequence.
Sterling’s future past this season stays unsure, with no choice to make the Arsenal switch everlasting included within the deal. Which means any payment must be negotiated, whereas the Gunners may merely let him return to Chelsea in the event that they resolve they do not wish to maintain him.
Followers are unlikely to overlook Sterling in opposition to Chelsea. Along with his greatest days arguably behind him, he has been unable to command an everyday place in Arteta’s workforce, making solely 4 Premier League appearances which have totalled 123 minutes. His solely begins have come within the Carabao Cup, along with his solely two aim involvements in an Arsenal shirt coming in opposition to League One’s Bolton Wanderers.
Martin Odegaard is now not out of motion after making his eagerly anticipated comeback from an ankle harm in midweek. However different gamers in addition to Sterling will probably be lacking in opposition to Chelsea.
Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino are each doubts with head accidents, though Arteta has expressed hope that each will out there come the weekend. Declan Rice is an even bigger concern with a foot downside.
Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney will not return till after the worldwide break.
