That opens the door for Sterling and this feels like now or never for him in terms of his time at Arsenal, with the Gunners having seven games before the international break in the middle of next month.
It would leave Arteta with Nwaneri and Sterling on the wings - and this period feels like a huge one for the latter.
There has been the odd bright moment, however Sterling is still waiting for that “click” Arteta so often talks about with players coming into his team.
The finances around Sterling’s loan meant it was not much of a risk for Arsenal, however they would still have wanted more of a return than this.
Arteta now has just three fit forwards for Saturday’s trip to Leicester in Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling.
