Arsenal boost as Mikel Arteta maps out Raheem Sterling injury return timeline
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Mikel Arteta is hopeful Raheem Sterling will be back “quite soon” as Arsenal look to cope without Bukayo Saka. Saka tore his hamstring during Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21 and has since undergone surgery. Arteta believes the winger will be out for more than two months and it has presented the opportunity for Sterling to make his mark.
The 30-year-old, who joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea in the summer, injured his knee in training the day before Arsenal won at Palace and has not played since. Arteta has confirmed Sterling is close to a return, though, with Arsenal next in action on New Year’s Day when they head to Brentford.
“He was gutted because he had a good game against Palace here [at Emirates Stadium in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals],” said Arteta. “He could have scored two goals and made an assist and in the end he got injured in a training session. “That was his opportunity because naturally he would have played in that position. But knowing Raz, I think he will be back quite soon.”.
Arsenal have been hit hard by injuries this season and Saka joins Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines. Both players are struggling with knee injuries and White was forced to undergo surgery in November. Arsenal were also rocked by captain Martin Odegaard injuring his ankle in September while playing for Norway and he was out of action until November.
