Premier League is back in action this weekend. But the Gunners wouldn’t be very glad about that. Arsenal is set to face the Spurs away from home on Sunday, 15th September. After the suspension of Declan Rice from the derby due to his red card offence against the Seagulls, captain Odegard is also out due to an injury.
The Norwegian sprained his ankle against Austria in the matchday 2 of the Nations League. As per Fabrizio Romano, he will be out for at least 3-4 weeks as per reports. It will be a difficult game for the Gunners in the absence of two of their most important players. As it seems veteran midfielder Jorginho will be replacing Rice in his position. And Kai Havertz is very likely to play as a number 10 in place of Odegard while Trossard will be playing as a striker in front of Havertz.
Arsenal’s first choice left winger Gabriel Martinelli is out of form since the start of the season. So, Arteta will be very careful about that position. Although the chances of Raheem Sterling starting the game is very low but we can see him coming off the bench in the second half. Sterling could play a very important role against the Spurs as they will be seeking for the three points. However, controversies regarding the Premier League rules are sparkling up as Sterling’s loan move is being questioned by some media and journalists.
How is the Sterling move damaging the league’s Integrity
Arsenal signed Sterling from Chelsea in the last hours of the deadline day. Critics believe it is one of the best pieces of business done by any club in the league. It is also very beneficial for the player.
Arsenal is a title contender since the last couple of seasons. Whereas Chelsea have been a mess since the ownership changed in 2022. They finished sixth in the league table last season. Sterling was an important player for the Blues in that season as he appeared 31 times in the league fixtures. So, a Conference League competing player has now joined the side who finished second in the Premier League table last season. And he will also be competing in the Champions League.
It is a win-win situation for both Arsenal and Sterling. The Gunners who are a strong title contender this season, will get a experienced player who has won the league before (with Man City) and the player gets his chance to show his caliber in the European stage. Sterling will also get his former assistant manager as a manager this time, who loved his playstyle. However, the Premier League’s uprightness isn’t justified in this case.
Sterling can score a match winning goal against the Spurs this weekend, but he will not be allowed to score against Tottenham’s one of the biggest rival Chelsea. It’s a big blot in the copybook of the Premier League. Though Sterling will be staying at the Emirates but still he is a Chelsea player. He can’t play against Chelsea in the league. The Blues are the club who are paying most of the £325,000 wages a week salary to the Englishman. It is like the same owner owning two clubs at the same time.
Conclusion
Sterling who will be turning 30 in December, have no commitment to impress the Arsenal management. The chances of him ever becoming a permanent Arsenal player, is almost null. At the end of the season Sterling will return to Stamford Bridge again. He will be either staying or will be sold to any other club inside or outside of Europe.
Sterling is getting a better opportunity to play football; we cannot take that away from a world class player like him. And Arsenal fans are also happy with the business they have done. Only paying a minority of wages for such a world class player. He might win games for them, kiss the badge or say nice things but the bitter truth is he will never become a true Gunner.
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