Behind the scenes of Raheem Sterling’s Arsenal loan and why it didn’t work out: The real reason that he has slipped down pecking order, how his relationship with Mikel Arteta has changed and the unseen work he does for Gunners’ young stars

Time and again, the TV cameras panned to a stony-faced Raheem Sterling during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

On 76 minutes, Mikel Arteta had brought on full back Kieran Tierney, who is leaving the club to return to Celtic this summer, to play on the left wing instead of Sterling.

It was a telling moment reflecting just how far the 82-cap England international and four-time Premier League winner has slipped down Arteta’s pecking order, and epitomised a loan move which has not worked out as planned.

Wednesday, it seems, is the 30-year-old’s final shot at redemption in an Arsenal jersey. The Gunners face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last 16 second leg at the Emirates Stadium in a total dead rubber.

The 7-1 drubbing Arsenal handed out in the Netherlands last week leaves this game as a free hit in which Arteta will rotate his squad ahead of a crucial run-in.

But for Sterling, Wednesday is of wider significance heading into a summer where he could lie in limbo with two more years of his Chelsea contract left to run.

For Sterling, Wednesday is of wider significance heading into a summer where he could lie in limbo with two more years of his Chelsea contract left to run

Despite matters not having panned out in the way he’d have wished for in terms of playing time, it’s understood that Sterling is still pleased he made the move to Arsenal

Mail Sport understands Sterling is very rational in his thinking and ready to play a role whenever called upon at Arsenal. There is no denying, however, that the lack of game time has proved disappointing.

Despite matters not having panned out in the way he’d have wished for in terms of playing time, it’s understood that Sterling is still pleased he made the move to Arsenal. He was desperate to find a way out of Chelsea after being banished by Enzo Maresca and denied access to first-team facilities. It’s understood that the situation got so bad that the PFA were called in, as well as employment lawyers.

Yet the move to north London was not on the cards in the first place. Mail Sport understands Sterling was initially preparing to move to Manchester United on loan in August.

Key people at United had spoken highly of Sterling, having worked with him before; sporting director Dan Ashworth (ex-FA director of elite development), technical director Jason Wilcox (ex-academy director at Manchester City) and Omar Berrada (ex-chief football operations officer at City) all vouched for the player.

The stars seemed to have aligned. United were also hoping Sterling would provide a big brother figure for the struggling Marcus Rashford. But PSR rules, which United are perilously close to, put paid to the move happening. Crystal Palace and Tottenham were also in the hunt for his signature.

It’s likely that the Gunners wouldn’t have opted for Sterling if they knew how much Ethan Nwaneri was to develop in such a short space of time. The 17-year-old has long been identified as a burgeoning talent, but the north London club didn’t want to rush his development.

It was the hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka on December 21 against Crystal Palace that thrust the youngster to centre stage, as he made his league debut against Brentford on New Year’s Day and has started the last four matches. Nwaneri has impressively struck eight goals already this season.

The pitch from Arsenal to Sterling was that he would not come in as a starter, but reinforce both the left and right wings. In his mind, he was going to be a reinforcement for Gabriel Martinelli and Saka.

It’s likely that the Gunners wouldn’t have opted for Sterling if they knew how much Ethan Nwaneri was to develop in such a short space of time

Those around him are surprised he has not been given a chance down the middle as a striker, particularly after Kai Havertz’s injury

Those around him are surprised he has not been given a chance down the middle as a striker, particularly after Kai Havertz’s injury.

His limited game time in the first half of this season didn’t warrant raised eyebrows because of Arsenal’s front three of Saka, Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli. Most players across the league would struggle to get into the team ahead of such a trio.

It’s from February onwards, after Havertz’s season-ending hamstring sustained during the north London club’s Dubai trip, which has been trickier to decipher.

In terms of the relationship between Arteta and Sterling, it is different compared to when Arteta was assistant coach at Man City between 2016 and 2019, where the winger was in his prime.

The pair were said to be ‘glued to the hip’ at Man City, as Arteta spent hours experimenting in using him in different positions in training.

They bonded really well and still do talk regularly. The player is understood to respect the transparency he is shown by his boss, which includes on team selection, no matter how difficult that news may be. But there is of course a difference in communicating with a boss than an assistant coach.

Going back to the playing side, without Saka, Martinelli — who only just returned from injury at United on Sunday — and Havertz, a spot for Sterling in the front three was there for the taking.

In the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over Leicester on February 15, Sterling was, time and again, thwarted as he tried to take on opponents in a display at odds to what he has produced in seasons gone by.

In terms of the relationship between Mikel Arteta and Sterling, it is different compared to when Arteta was assistant coach at Man City between 2016 and 2019

It’s believed that Arteta’s averseness to play Sterling is down to a reluctance to wait for him to build confidence and momentum

That sharp, daring player of old, who could leave an opponent for dust or use his silky dribbling skills in navigating tight areas, was hard to find. Since then, he has not started a league match.

The winger is said to be working tirelessly in training and has a strong desire to play. His energy behind the scenes has particularly stood out to those around the club. 

When it comes to why he hasn’t made an impact, there are several factors. One is a lack of playing time this season. The winger has only started four league matches and just as he was starting to build some rhythm, he sustained a knee injury in mid-December; not ideal circumstances to build momentum in, nor confidence.

Mail Sport understands that he rushed back to make himself available while not being fully fit because of Saka’s hamstring injury.

The ex-England man has had an influence on youngsters like Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in training, helping to provide pointers

Sterling will head back to Chelsea this summer with his career in limbo and two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge

It’s believed that Arteta’s averseness to play Sterling is down to a reluctance to wait for him to build confidence and momentum, opting instead to pick players who are ready in the here and now.

He was signed for more than his on the pitch impact, though. The ex-England man has had an influence on youngsters like Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in training, helping to provide pointers. That has included guidance on how to navigate the media.

For Arsenal, the deal to bring him in is still seen as financially shrewd. They are only paying 30 per cent (£97,500) out of his £325,000 weekly wages.

What is for certain that the time for Sterling to make an impact at Arsenal is running out fast.