Arsenal star called EPL flop of the season: 'He's stunk the place out'

Raheem Sterling has been slammed as “one of the flops of the season” after breaking an early-season promise.

The England winger signed for Arsenal late in the summer transfer window, joining in a season-long loan deal from Premier League rivals Chelsea. But he has failed to hit the heights expected of him so far.

Sterling, 29, has made eight appearances for the Gunners - only two of which have been starts. His only goal contributions have come in the 5-1 win against League One side Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.

And ex- Premier League forward Stan Collymore believes he has been the worst signing of the campaign. Speaking to the Metro, he said: “Raheem Sterling has been a massive disappointment.

“He came in and said he was going to give the club his best work, but that hasn’t happened. He’s arguably stunk the place out so far and he’s definitely one of the flops of the season having promised to do his best work at Arsenal.

“He’s an experienced player who has won everything there is to win, he was expected to push the dressing room up another level and he hasn’t done that.”

And while Sterling has disappointed thus far, Collymore hasn’t been particularly impressed with Arsenal’s other summer business. The Gunners also secured a big-money deal for former Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori after his starring role at Euro 2024.

And Collymore believes that deal has not matched expectations either. He added: “Arsenal spent £42 million on Riccardo Calafiori which has been a mildly disappointing move so far. He’s had a couple of injuries, but he was meant to come in and be the man.”

A final complaint that Collymore had was the decision to cash in on academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe. He completed a permanent move to Fulham in the summer, but Collymore believes he would have been a perfect player to step in during the long injury absence of captain Martin Odegaard.

And while Collymore has slammed Arsenal’s summer business, it appears that the North London side are pressing ahead with their plans for the January window. Reports in Spain have claimed that the Gunners have contacted Real Madrid regarding a deal for playmaker Arda Guler.

Arsenal have also seemingly moved ahead in the race for Bilbao star Nico Williams. They previously faced competition for the wide man from Barcelona but the Spanish giants are reportedly not able to afford his lofty wage demands.