Asked whether he felt the 30-year-old could still have a big impact at Arsenal, Arteta said: “Yes and he has to have it because we really need him.” But Arteta was hardly convincing when it was put to him that Sterling, who has scored only one goal, in a Carabao Cup win over Bolton, was lacking confidence.
Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal are relying on Raheem Sterling to make a contribution to their title challenge and is hoping the former England forward can improve on his disappointing form since joining on loan from Chelsea.
Arteta must decide whether to start the Spain midfielder in attack against West Ham on Saturday or stick with Sterling as Arsenal attempt to cut Liverpool’s lead to five points.
“It’s been very re-energising to say: ‘OK, let’s see if we can do that together again and whatever gaps we have within the team, we’re going to fill them in a different way with different players in different ways,’” he said.
Liverpool’s two successive midweek 2-2 draws have given Arsenal a sliver of hope that they are not destined to finish as runners-up for a third season in a row despite injuries to a number of key attacking players.
