Mikel Arteta could sign Raheem Sterling in an effort to relax the dependence on Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka moving forward.
The two Hale End academy graduates have been the most used players in Arsenal’s team this season, featuring in every Premier League game so far this campaign.
The Gunners have been linked with Raheem Sterling after It emerged he was available for a transfer, due to his reluctance to sign a contract extension at Man City.
With the Englishman able to play on either wing, he could certainly ease the burden on his young compatriots and prevent the increased injury risk the duo face.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, this could be Arteta’s thinking.
“For Sterling, it is about the contract. Man City have been clear with him – extend the contract, or we will try to sell you in January or next summer,” Romano told The Arsenal Lounge.
(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
“It’s true, Arsenal would love to have him. Mikel Arteta is in love, he is convinced he would be perfect. Man City want more than £50 million.”
Smith Rowe has played 1,085 minutes for Arsenal in all competitions which is the most in the team so far this season and he has been a pivotal piece to Arteta’s squad.
He has six goal contributions in the Premier League this season and all of those have come in the four matches that Arteta has put him on the left-hand side.
(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Saka has been the Spaniard’s second most used player this season having played 998 minutes of competitive football since August.
When you factor in the international football they have played, Arteta is seriously running the risk of burnout for both players, which Saka actually suffered from towards the end of the last campaign.
Arteta does not see Nicolas Pepe or Gabriel Martinelli as trustworthy options despite being the replacements for the youngsters, as both players have featured heavily on the substitutes bench without receiving many minutes this season.
However, the signing of Sterling would certainly help with the squad rotation whilst maintaining the quality of the team.
The 26-year-old has scored more than 100 goals during his six-year career at Man City, whilst playing an important role in their most recent Premier League title success.
Not only would he prove pivotal with his goal contributions, but he can relax the constant pressure put on Arsenal’s Hale End stars.
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