Raheem Sterling: Shaken, Not Sterred

[NZgunner]

we brought him for games like the one today, home against weak opposition, and he was ineffectual at best, bordering on being a liability

his reputation for flopping over at the merest hint of a touch is so firmly lodged in every ref's mindset it means he's never going to get a close decision his way - but as per the definition of insanity, he does the same thing over and over again expecting a different result

 

[DanDare]

I'm not really expecting a great deal from Sterling yet. He didn't have a preseason, hasn't had many minutes and is playing in an unfamiliar team. Probably wasn't helped by rotation reducing the overall team's effectiveness.

I'm happy to have him as a Martinelli rotation/back up

Means Trossard can share upfront minutes with Havertz and hopefully Jesus leaves

 

[Deleted member 98559]

I feel I was very wrong on this guy, looks nothing like a player I was expecting when we signed him.

We are one winger away from competing for every trophy and this guy won't help at all

 

[Mudi]

I feel I was very wrong on this guy, looks nothing like a player I was expecting when we signed him.

We are one winger away from competing for every trophy and this guy won't help at all

Tbh, I believe he will be more effective with Havertz upfront than Jesus. Jesus and Sterling cannot play together. Jesus likes to drift to the wings while Sterling likes to play against the byline.

 

[Taylor Gang Gunners]

He had a fine game. He's still getting back to his best level and once he does he's gonna be an outlet and a half.

 

[Heavy Duty Rom]

Played alright but seemed to hesitate everytime a decision needed to be made. Seems very low in confidence.

 

[SA Gunner]

Yeah he isnt at his level at the moment, contributing yes but not at the level we need yet.

Needs to be more alert, particularly in our system where teams are looking to duels and those 50-50 moments to gain an advantage over us. You saw that physicality from the opposition by Southampton as well as against Villa earlier on in the season.

Sterling alongside Jesus, Kiwior, Tomiyasu, Zinchenko, Jorginho, MLS and Nwaneri need to be that group or supporting cast to our first team this season.

 

[ItaBic]

He had a fine game. He's still getting back to his best level and once he does he's gonna be an outlet and a half.

honestly i don't think he had a good game. he badly lost the ball caused us the goal of Southampton. he was never dangerous in attack, and all time he had the ball he was slowing down the play hesitating to take decisions.
when Martinelli, Troussard and Merino replaced Sterling,Jesus and Jorginho we immediately gained rithm and game totally changed

 

[Tir Na Nog]

I thought he was fairly lively and looked to take on his man any chance he got, but if Nelly had a game like that I'd probably be crucifying him so I have to be fair.

Because of Nelly's recent form there's an obvious drop off now when Sterling comes in for him. He's not up to speed tho so hopefully he can improve in the coming weeks.

 

[fute]

Think big picture.

He is a welcome addition. At a position where we were already razor thin in terms of depth, he fulfills a few voids: PL experience, winner. He has Arteta's trust. He can spell some of our guys. It won't just always be Trossard. If Martinelli is struggling, he can spell him.

This a win-win deal. He was okay today. If you are expecting a world class winger, than you'll be left disappointed.

Most of you look past Calafiori's flaws. Giving Merino the benefit of the doubt already, "oh, he needs to get a some games under his belt". Well, let's keep that same energy for a proven winner at this level and in this league in Sterling.

 

[PrinzPoldi]

Let's worrry about Jesus instead of Sterling.
Raheem was doing okay to decent. Move lively and dangerous than Jesus in the box.
Just need a bit more time to gel with the team.

It is not easy to understand and execute Arteta's X's and O's.

 

[freeglennhelder2]

Think big picture.

He is a welcome addition. At a position where we were already razor thin in terms of depth, he fulfills a few voids: PL experience, winner. He has Arteta's trust. He can spell some of our guys. It won't just always be Trossard. If Martinelli is struggling, he can spell him.

This a win-win deal. He was okay today. If you are expecting a world class winger, than you'll be left disappointed.

Most of you look past Calafiori's flaws. Giving Merino the benefit of the doubt already, "oh, he needs to get a some games under his belt". Well, let's keep that same energy for a proven winner at this level and in this league in Sterling.

Fair approach and of course we should all give the guy a season.

But your reasoned and level-headed words must be tempered by the fact that Sterling was diabolical in his most recent season at Chelsea - this is the version of him in most peoples minds. Lets hope that was a blip rather than permanent degradation.

 

[pigge]

He had a fine game. He's still getting back to his best level and once he does he's gonna be an outlet and a half.

Hope he is faster than Havertz. Cause he took like 8 months

 

[MaraDon]

Unlike Martinelli, he knows how to play against tight defenses, which will be 80% of our games.

Hope Arteta starts him on the weekend

this

 

[Batman]

Let's worrry about Jesus instead of Sterling.
Raheem was doing okay to decent. Move lively and dangerous than Jesus in the box.
Just need a bit more time to gel with the team.

It is not easy to understand and execute Arteta's X's and O's.

I agree with everything except the last sentence because Sterling should have no issues whatsoever given his time at City and specifically his time at City working individually with Arteta. It's a rhythm problem, not a lack of understanding. He's better suited than most players we could sign to understand immediately what Arteta wants from that position.

 

[DJ_Markstar]

Not worried about Sterling at all, Havertz took months to adapt to both the tactical/flexibility demands of his role and also to take his confidence and mentality from Chelsea levels to Arsenal levels, I expect a similar curve for Sterling and we'll be raving about him come Jan/Feb imo.

 

[PrinzPoldi]

I agree with everything except the last sentence because Sterling should have no issues whatsoever given his time at City and specifically his time at City working individually with Arteta. It's a rhythm problem, not a lack of understanding. He's better suited than most players we could sign to understand immediately what Arteta wants from that position.

I believe Arteta himself and his system are evolved a lot since his days with City??
A lot has changed, and Sterling has to learn from ground zero.

 

[Oxeki]

I'm a bot more encouraged with him than martinelli tbh. He's extremely good at receiving the ball and cutting in to his right foot. I think he just needs time.

 

[Batman]

I believe Arteta himself and his system are evolved a lot since his days with City??
A lot has changed, and Sterling has to learn from ground zero.

The principles of what the wingers do is largely the same. You have certain positional responsibilities in the first two thirds of the pitch and then more license to do what you want in the final third. What Arteta wants from a winger hasn't changed much at Arsenal. Where you could argue he has changed a bit is that his pressing structure is more sophisticated than Pep's and more versatile but in terms of the actual wing play, Martinelli has largely the same job as Sterling or Sane had on the LW at City so Sterling should be up to speed on those requirements very quickly.

 

[SA Gunner]

On rewatch it’s safe to say I was harsh on Raheem.

Caught out for Southampton opener yes, and that clouded my judgement, but otherwise solid. Receives so well inside and outside and able to turn the man tight on him in various ways.

Think once we have our left side settled he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

Alongside TP, Jorginho, Jesus, and Trossard, Sterling will be another elder that brings in some needed experience into our setup.