Arsenal may already have the answer as to who can solve their striker nightmare – and Pep Guardiola will deserve some credit if it comes off.
The Gunners won’t have either of their two first-choice frontmen for the remainder of the season after Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Kai Havertz (hamstring) were sidelined with serious injuries. That’s in addition to hamstrung wing duo Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, each of whom missed Saturday’s 2-0 win at Leicester, but both are expected back fit after next month’s international break – meaning they could feature at the start of April.
Leandro Trossard started as Arsenal‘s central attacker at the King Power Stadium before creative midfielder Mikel Merino came off the bench to take the false nine position and seal the win with two late goals. Raheem Sterling also got a rare start, featuring on the left wing – while 17-year-old sensation Ethan Nwaneri got voted as player of the match on the right side – and Gunners legend Ian Wright suggested now is Chelsea loanee Sterling’s time to grasp his opportunity.
“The opportunity that has arisen for him [Sterling], this is the time where he should buckle down and say, ‘I have to make this work’,” said Wright on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. “Otherwise, he’ll go out with a whimper. The last time I saw him come on and do something in a short space of time, was against Manchester United – that’s what you want to see from him, just come on and try to make something happen.”
Mikel Arteta served as Guardiola’s assistant for three years at Manchester City, and it was during that partnership the Catalan talked up Sterling’s potential as a striker. And while the 30-year-old’s temporary spell at the Emirates hasn’t exactly seen him at his vintage best, it’s possible his nous may yet prove pivotal in steering Arsenal through a difficult period.
“Since we started this [pre] season in China and the Community Shield he’s scored one goal minimum every game,” Guardiola told City’s official website in 2019. “On the first day, he played as a striker and for me, striker will be an incredible position for him. He can play in three positions up front.
“They’re incredibly talented players but they need the group… when the team takes a step forward he plays better. But I know the special quality of the player, the consistent physicality and the finishing.”
Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has also joined in the plaudits praising Sterling’s versatility in the past. In fact, it was more than a decade ago that the then-Reds chief likened his winger to another malleable forward thriving at the time for Arsenal.
“He can play across the front line,” said Rodgers in 2014. “I played him as a striker, but you get different types of striker.
“He’s more of an Alexis Sanchez when he plays as a striker – he’s not going to pin the defender. He plays in the spaces and he’s got the speed to get in behind. A couple of great finishes and I’m very pleased for him.”
Rodgers went on to note Sterling had led the attack playing for Liverpool’s youth teams and drove home the notion he has “got the qualities to do it.” However, his experience and playing time in the position has dropped off significantly since then.
Sterling has scored just one goal and contributed two assists in 19 appearances for Arsenal since joining on loan last summer, with that sole finish coming against Bolton in the Carabao Cup. The Gunners sit second in the Premier League and seven points behind leaders Liverpool as West Ham prepare to visit north London on Saturday (3pm).
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