Arsenal have been uncharacteristically losing games in recent weeks.
The Gunners were beaten in the Champions League on Wednesday night by Interwhich came on the heels of a Premier League defeat to Newcastle United just days earlier.
Having surprisingly lost to Bournemouth after the international break in October, as well as dropping points against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta’s side have won just two of their last six games in all competitions. But their last Premier League win was on October 5.
These results have been seen arsenal deviated from the pace set by Liverpool in the race for the title, seven points behind the Reds. They have also slipped out of the top four, at least for now, thanks to Nottingham Forest’s surprise form and Chelsea’s resurgence.
Ahead of facing the Blues at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal are level with their London rivals but slightly below them on goal difference. It’s a must-have game for both.
One player who will not feature, however, is Raheem Sterling.
Sterling was a surprise signing for the Gunners at the end of the summer transfer window as Chelsea sought to trim a bloated squad and offload players who were not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Manchester United were linked with the ex-Liverpool and Manchester City winger, but it was Arsenal who ended up signing him on loan for the 2024/25 season.
The Gunners are not believed to have paid a loan fee for Sterling and are reported to be paying well under 50% of his wages, perhaps as little as £100,000-a-week on a contract worth £325,000, with the Chelsea covered. the rest
But the fact that Sterling is on loan from Chelsea That’s why he can’t feature on Sunday, with Premier League rules banning players from playing against their parent club. It used to be the case that clubs could agree between themselves, which saw Lomana LuaLua score for Portsmouth against Newcastle in 2004. The rules were later changed as a result.
Sterling’s future beyond this season remains uncertain, with no option to make the Arsenal transfer permanent included in the deal. That means any fee would have to be negotiated, while the Gunners could simply let him return Chelsea if they decide they don’t want to keep it.
Fans are unlikely to miss Sterling against Chelsea. With his best days behind him, he has failed to carve out a regular place in Arteta’s side, making just four Premier League appearances totaling 123 minutes. His only starts have come in the Carabao Cup, with his only two goals in an Arsenal shirt against Bolton Wanderers in League One.
Martin Odegaard is no longer sidelined after making his long-awaited comeback from an ankle injury in midweek. But other players besides Sterling will be missing against Chelsea.
Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino are doubts with head injuries, although Arteta has expressed hope that both will be available at the weekend. Declan Rice is a bigger concern with a foot problem.
Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney will not return until after the international break.
