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.
fueadipyz
0
let Arsenal terminate the loan contract in January and there get us sane
Anuolu190
0
Stirling has been mediocre at best for the past few seasons. Why Arsenal chose to sign him is beyond me, but they only have themselves to blame if they expected anything near greatness from him.
He’s on loan and Chelsea is paying most of his wages , not a arsenal problems
Noobilouy
0
why yall always targeting sterling? He barely gets game time, hasn't played a full game or even started one but here you are blaming him for their failures. htf he can stink up the place when arteta doesn't play him?
they are just being unfair to sterling
Suzcdlnpuy
1
These pundits are made fam forgetting that calafiori scored one of the most crucial goals in the epl race against man city
that's the only pointless speech from his analysis
Suzcdlnpuy
0
Sterling is too much selfish no delivering anything from the wing just dribbling too too much you need to copy from martineli if you want to play nice football don't copy from saka
Saka is too dangerous
Outlier
5
Merino is the flop. Sterling is only on loan with Chelsea paying most of his wages
kisadknst
0
why yall always targeting sterling? He barely gets game time, hasn't played a full game or even started one but here you are blaming him for their failures. htf he can stink up the place when arteta doesn't play him?
He got 2 stats bro plus player are selected for a stat base on their performance in training. everyone knows that except you.
kisilah
1
we need a central striker first!!!!
wanaeimstu
1
We need guokeres as our striker
sueeiknpty
2
Sterling is too much selfish no delivering anything from the wing just dribbling too too much you need to copy from martineli if you want to play nice football don't copy from saka
Bizekmpryz
1
Star?
Kesadlor
3
sterling is just following wilian footsteps
Wamiklmsty
1
Stirling has been mediocre at best for the past few seasons. Why Arsenal chose to sign him is beyond me, but they only have themselves to blame if they expected anything near greatness from him.
zodailz
0
So CALAFIORI must play while he is injured ?????? in order to impress these pundits that's stupid senses for sure
The man is very dumb, how do you expect a 42 million player to come and be the main guy
Ace_the_kidd_
4
These pundits are made fam forgetting that calafiori scored one of the most crucial goals in the epl race against man city
limemoptyz
1
Sterling ha been given enough time to proof himself,i don't see anything good in all those time given.
Ashleypaul
1
This happened to havertz last season 😈
AFerLika4336
3
We sure need adra guler in our midfield And the idea to bring in Nico Williams in January is going to be one of the best moves ever THANK YOU
buteiknrst
0
Not kai?
Kedanruz
2
why yall always targeting sterling? He barely gets game time, hasn't played a full game or even started one but here you are blaming him for their failures. htf he can stink up the place when arteta doesn't play him?
Seobdmnyz
0
unfair judgement .leny yoro is even better in his eyes how does he judge injured players u want Stirling to perform from the bench
Don't mind the biased pundits!
Hassanssalongo
4
unfair judgement .leny yoro is even better in his eyes how does he judge injured players u want Stirling to perform from the bench
Ludbeknopt
1
collymore the fuckturd
ColinsGooner
6
So CALAFIORI must play while he is injured ?????? in order to impress these pundits that's stupid senses for sure
Lebbisyz
1
these pundits sometimes talk as if they have the present and future of players. give us a break. sterling doesn't need arsenal to prove anything else but to do with the little time given to him
Rickylubs
1
Unfair judgement! Always on the bench so you really can't judge him that harshly
Gannymalta
2
Sterling is playing unnaturally! He has a huge desire impress at Arsenal, while trying to disgrace Enzo Maresca. When you are under emotions, talent disperses! Calm down, Sterling!