Those around Arsenal ace surprised Arteta hasn’t played him as a No.9, he’s working tirelessly in training – report | OneFootball

Those around Arsenal forward Raheem Sterling are surprised he has not been given a chance to play down the middle as a striker, particularly after Kai Havertz’s injury, according to the Daily Mail.

The 30-year-old winger has been working tirelessly in training and has a strong desire to play, and his energy behind the scenes has particularly stood out to those around the North London club.

However, Sterling has started just nine of the 22 games he has featured in for Arsenal since joining them from Chelsea on a season-long loan last summer, and he is expected to move on at the end of the season.

It was telling that Gunners manager Mikel Arteta preferred bringing on left-back Kieran Tierney ahead of him against Manchester United on Sunday as his side chased a winner.

The Scotland international is leaving Arsenal to return to Celtic this summer and has largely played as a defender all his career, but he was introduced to action at Old Trafford and made to play on the left wing instead of Sterling.

The North London club are back in action tonight when they host PSV Eindhoven in the second-leg of the Champions League last-16, and the Englishman is expected to be named in the starting XI as Arteta looks to rest key players after winning 7-1 in the first-leg.

However, whether Sterling can do enough tonight to earn playing more regularly ahead of the Premier League title run-in remains to be seen.

While things have not gone as planned at Arsenal, the former Manchester City star is still pleased he made the move to the club last summer after falling out of favour at Chelsea.

With Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka still out, Sterling still has a chance to prove himself, but he does not have plenty of time left to do so and a return to his parent club at the end of the season is all but guaranteed.