Mikel Arteta has a bigger issue than Arsenal’s current disciplinary record to worry about ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
Arsenal slumped to their first defeat of the season away to Bournemouth last time out, with William Saliba sent off midway through the first half.
It means all three occasions Arsenal have dropped points this term they’ve been reduced to 10 men – a trend Arteta insists must be bucked if the capital club are to finish the season as champions.
Away from the red cards, Arteta has a much bigger problem to concern himself with.
Raheem Sterling was heralded as a transfer masterstroke when he arrived on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, but so far the England international has underwhelmed in red and white.
Across his seven appearances, Sterling’s only goal contributions came during Arsenal League Cup third-round victory against League One Bolton Wanderers.
Sterling was handed a starting berth in both of the north Londoners’ previous two league outings but failed to make an impact in either.
The 29-year-old was hooked after a disappointing display with the game level against Southampton – a fixture Arsenal went onto win 3-1.
Arsenal FC v FC Shakhtar Donetsk – UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3
Raheem Sterling has endured a frustrating start to life at Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Before Sterling was sacrificed at the Vitality last weekend following Saliba’s clumsy first-half dismissal.
It hasn’t posed much of a complication for Arteta yet, given Sterling was brought in to add depth to an often-stretched Arsenal squad.
But given the injuries continue to mount for last season’s runners-up, namely star attacker Bukayo Saka, Arteta can ill-afford any passengers.
That’s especially from players who aren’t even permanently contracted to the club either, not least because it could block the pathway for one of Arsenal’s stellar young talents.
