Raheem Sterling: Shaken, Not Sterred

[GoonerJay24]

I swear Arteta’s the reverse of Wenger. We needed top tier defensive replacements for years but he only pulled out the wallet for luxury attacking players, while shopping in the bargain bin for defenders like Silvestre and Squillaci & over relying on youth.

We need Wengteta.

Sorry, but ignorance and disrespect towards Wenger is why we don't deserve success.

Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna and Monreal were some of the best defenders in Europe. Vermaelen, Paulista, Debuchy and Gibbs; not bad backups.

If anything, our issue then was the teams defensive structure collectively.

 

[Dennis_Bergkamp_10]

Sorry, but ignorance and disrespect towards Wenger is why we don't deserve success.

Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna and Monreal were some of the best defenders in Europe. Vermaelen, Paulista, Debuchy and Gibbs; not bad backups.

If anything, our issue then was the teams defensive structure collectively.

I'd only classify Sagna as one of the best in Europe in his position really.

 

[HollandGooner]

This is a waste isnt it? its a very strange on because you would imagine he wants to show what he can do.

 

[Big Poppa]

Sorry, but ignorance and disrespect towards Wenger is why we don't deserve success.

Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna and Monreal were some of the best defenders in Europe. Vermaelen, Paulista, Debuchy and Gibbs; not bad backups.

If anything, our issue then was the teams defensive structure collectively.

There is no disrespect here chief. Try again. Wenger, objectively speaking, prioritised the attacking side of our game over the defensive one - you’ve just said it yourself.

It wasn’t only defenders, we needed an elite DM and GK for years but willingly invested sought after attackers like Arshavin while neglecting one critical part of the team. Arteta’s version of that is a needing an elite goal scorer vs pursuing sought after defensive players.

There are pros and cons to both, but point is each could benefit from a little more balance.

 

[GoonerJay24]

I'd only classify Sagna as one of the best in Europe in his position really.

Interesting. I thought Koscielny for a couple of years was the best defender in England

 

[GoonerJay24]

There is no disrespect here chief. Try again. Wenger, objectively speaking, prioritised the attacking side of our game over the defensive one - you’ve just said it yourself.

It wasn’t only defenders, we needed an elite DM and GK for years but willingly invested sought after attackers like Arshavin while neglecting one critical part of the team. Arteta’s version of that is a needing an elite goal scorer vs pursuing sought after defensive players.

There are pros and cons to both, but point is each could benefit from a little more balance.

Mentioning Squillaci and Mustafi seems your disrespecting Wengers ability to spot defensive talent. That's ignorance.

He was an attacking manager predominantly but, always spoke on balancing the team.

The whole DM argument has always been utter nonsense too. Gilberto, Song, Coquelin, Arteta, Flamini; all class players. I'd agree with you on the GK, we never truly replaced Lehmann. When he bought in Arshavin, we had the best defensive record in the league from January to May. An elite attacker was needed at that time.

The difference is though, Arteta is spending way more than Wenger. Yet we had a better squad back then.

 

[Mitch]

Has been getting stick in the media today, I've seen two articles, one on Collymore comments and the other Nicoll, both of whom are calling Sterling a flop.

That's unfair criticism in my opinion as when he has started in very limited games in the league cup he has played well (granted against lesser opposition). Sterling unfortunately has been underused and not really been given a chance, so to call him a flop is wrong in my view.

Take Trossard for example, started the season in very good form however has been very poor in every match post the PSG game.

Whilst Martinelli has been very hit and miss so far this season.

I'd like Sterling to be given more game time.

 

[Rex Stone]

Have to wonder why the media is devoting so much attention to a no fee loan signing with no obligation?

 

[DJ_Markstar]

I'd only classify Sagna as one of the best in Europe in his position really.

Koscielny was a top defender on his day as well but yeah the rest is revisionism, that defence was decent but levels below what we have now even.

 

[Macho]

Why would they issue a hit job on someone they’ve literally just signed? It’s not a conspiracy every day you know.

He's not an Arsenal player and we are barely paying his wages, so it's lot of attention for someone who was told joining the club he would be a warm body. It's weird, maybe it's the media expecting him to start more because of his reputation from the past.

This situation for Sterling is still superior to his Chelsea situation, so I don't think he's stressed. Yet..

 

[db10_therza]

He's not an Arsenal player and we are barely paying his wages, so it's lot of attention for someone who was told joining the club he would be a warm body. It's weird, maybe it's the media expecting him to start more because of his reputation from the past.

This situation for Sterling is still superior to his Chelsea situation, so I don't think he's stressed. Yet..

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99% sure it’s the media. Saw Steve Nicols on espn saying Sterling has been the worst signing in the prem this season and I’m like, he’s not even a real signing ffs he’s a no obligation loan deal everyone is obsessed with him

Think that’s why Arsenal media team keep showing him as well, they just playing to the fact that he has a big profile.

 

[Gooner Zig]

I think he can still play a decent role here.

 

[Trilly]

I think he can still play a decent role here.

His lack of game time is baffling.

Nelli has responded well to his signing but not that well so I don’t think Raheem is being treated fairly here, especially as he’s looked reasonably effective when given useful minutes.

 

[Batman]

His lack of game time is baffling.

Nelli has responded well to his signing but not that well so I don’t think Raheem is being treated fairly here, especially as he’s looked reasonably effective when given useful minutes.

He's looked effective in the league cup against horrific opponents. He's looked poor against actual PL standard opposition, albeit in very limited time. I would love it if he could play to his capability and usurp Martinelli as it would make us a better team but we have to remember how Arteta operates. Sterling is his guy from City. If you are one of his guys, you will get every chance to fail. Remember all the rope he gave Willian? Look at how Jesus still gets chances.

The fact that Sterling is not playing can only mean he's not doing the business in training. Nketiah got games despite looking terrible in actual PL minutes because of how he trained. Sterling must not be training well. Everything we have observed of Areta's behavior suggests that if he was training well, he would be playing. That's how he's always operated and I can't see him having changed with Sterling. There has to be a lack of impetus in training. No other explanation makes sense given the relationship between the two and how much currency that gets you with Arteta.

 

[Gooner Zig]

His lack of game time is baffling.

Nelli has responded well to his signing but not that well so I don’t think Raheem is being treated fairly here, especially as he’s looked reasonably effective when given useful minutes.

He's looked effective in the league cup against horrific opponents. He's looked poor against actual PL standard opposition, albeit in very limited time. I would love it if he could play to his capability and usurp Martinelli as it would make us a better team but we have to remember how Arteta operates. Sterling is his guy from City. If you are one of his guys, you will get every chance to fail. Remember all the rope he gave Willian? Look at how Jesus still gets chances.

The fact that Sterling is not playing can only mean he's not doing the business in training. Nketiah got games despite looking terrible in actual PL minutes because of how he trained. Sterling must not be training well. Everything we have observed of Areta's behavior suggests that if he was training well, he would be playing. That's how he's always operated and I can't see him having changed with Sterling. There has to be a lack of impetus in training. No other explanation makes sense given the relationship between the two and how much currency that gets you with Arteta.

I thought Sterling looked quite dangerous and lively vs Bournemouth which was his first (and only) start in the PL. Then the red card happened and he got hooked which was the wrong decision from Mikel.

 

[Batman]

I thought Sterling looked quite dangerous and lively vs Bournemouth which was his first (and only) start in the PL. Then the red card happened and he got hooked which was the wrong decision from Mikel.

He may have been one of the best of a bad lot and I'm not dismissing the fact that he has not had the gametime he probably needs in order to build the rhythm necessary to perform well. I'm just saying that if we go by how Arteta has always behaved, it would be hard to believe that Sterling is showing something in training that is elevating him above the other options and still not being picked. His historic favoritism of those he has a connection with would suggest that if it was even close in training, Sterling would be getting the nod above Martinelli and Trossard. Either it's not close and he's not convincing or Arteta's behavior has changed out of the blue.

 

[Trilly]

He's looked effective in the league cup against horrific opponents. He's looked poor against actual PL standard opposition, albeit in very limited time. I would love it if he could play to his capability and usurp Martinelli as it would make us a better team but we have to remember how Arteta operates. Sterling is his guy from City. If you are one of his guys, you will get every chance to fail. Remember all the rope he gave Willian? Look at how Jesus still gets chances.

The fact that Sterling is not playing can only mean he's not doing the business in training. Nketiah got games despite looking terrible in actual PL minutes because of how he trained. Sterling must not be training well. Everything we have observed of Areta's behavior suggests that if he was training well, he would be playing. That's how he's always operated and I can't see him having changed with Sterling. There has to be a lack of impetus in training. No other explanation makes sense given the relationship between the two and how much currency that gets you with Arteta.

There was some speculation that Arteta isn’t happy with getting Sterling compared to what he actually wanted.

If was the same PR/leak piece that suggested he isn’t happy with our forwards in general.

 

[Rasmi]

He may have been one of the best of a bad lot and I'm not dismissing the fact that he has not had the gametime he probably needs in order to build the rhythm necessary to perform well. I'm just saying that if we go by how Arteta has always behaved, it would be hard to believe that Sterling is showing something in training that is elevating him above the other options and still not being picked. His historic favoritism of those he has a connection with would suggest that if it was even close in training, Sterling would be getting the nod above Martinelli and Trossard. Either it's not close and he's not convincing or Arteta's behavior has changed out of the blue.

Sterling is 29 and not our player. The club never had any plans to buy him. I’m not buying he’s so bad in training even braindead martinelli is better. Logically it makes no sense in investing in him ahead of your own player. Why use Arsenal first team to create a market for Chelsea to sell him. That’s why he’s not playing

 

[Macho]

Sterling is 29 and not our player. The club never had any plans to buy him. I’m not buying he’s so bad in training even braindead martinelli is better. Logically it makes no sense in investing in him ahead of your own player. Why use Arsenal first team to create a market for Chelsea to sell him. That’s why he’s not playing

Martinelli bit aside, because I would imagine that he is excellent in training - I would guess it basically comes down to Arsenal are in no rush to do Chelsea's transfer business for them. For once.

For Sterling, training and having a chance to come off the bench was better than being part of the Chelsea "bomb squad".

 

[Batman]

There was some speculation that Arteta isn’t happy with getting Sterling compared to what he actually wanted.

If was the same PR/leak piece that suggested he isn’t happy with our forwards in general.

I just feel that even if it were the case, it's not like he's happy with the other guys either. He's namechecked Nelli missing sitters 2-3 times this season already and we know he's tried to replace him at least twice. I feel like that as well as his personal relationship with Sterling leads me to believe it's more performance based than some kind of prolonged wobbly over the summer signings or lack thereof in that area.