Mikel Arteta Takes Responsibility for Raheem Sterling's Limited Role at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has taken full responsibility for Raheem Sterling’s limited playing time at Arsenal, admitting that the decision to not offer the winger more minutes is down to him. Since arriving on loan from Chelsea in August, Sterling has found it difficult to break into Arteta’s starting lineup, with many of his appearances coming in the Carabao Cup rather than in the Premier League.
Sterling, who made the move from Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day, has featured sparingly, starting only once in the league. Despite this, Arteta has praised the 29-year-old’s commitment and attitude, emphasizing that the responsibility for his lack of minutes rests with him as the manager. "I would like to see him play more, to be fair," Arteta admitted ahead of Arsenal's match against West Ham. "This is down to me. His application, his commitment around the team, has been exceptional. Now it’s my responsibility to give him more time on the pitch."
One of the key moments when Sterling missed out on playing time was during Arsenal’s recent Champions League clash with Sporting CP. The winger had been poised to come on from the bench but was ultimately not introduced due to a last-minute injury-related change in Arteta’s plans. Despite the disappointment, Arteta was quick to highlight Sterling’s positive reaction to the situation. "Fortunately, he had a smile on his face. It’s one of those things that happen in football," Arteta explained. "He’s been in the game a long time, and he understands this is something I can’t control."
Arteta’s approach of shouldering the blame for a player’s lack of opportunities is not a new one. In the past, the Arsenal manager has expressed similar sentiments about players like Eddie Nketiah, who also struggled for minutes before his eventual breakthrough. In 2021, Arteta reflected on Nketiah’s situation, acknowledging that it was difficult to leave such a hardworking player out of the squad but emphasizing that the choice was his. "It hurts because of how Eddie behaves and trains every day. He’s a player from our academy, and he will have his chance," Arteta said at the time. "If he doesn’t get it, it’s just my fault."
For now, Arteta is focusing on giving Sterling the opportunities he deserves, but as with many of his players, minutes in the squad will depend on his decisions, with the manager acknowledging that it is ultimately his responsibility to find the right balance.
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