Sterling set for bigger Arsenal role: ‘He can really impact the team’ | OneFootball

Raheem Sterling is set to play a bigger role at Arsenal over the coming weeks, boss Mikel Arteta says.

Sterling joined the club on loan from Chelsea in the summer but has found his opportunities limited so far, having played just seven minutes across the last three Premier League games.

But ahead of a busy December period, Arteta backed the forward to have a bigger impact on the team.

“I would like to see him more, to be fair, and this is down to me,” Arteta said.

“He’s trying his best. His application, his commitment around the team has been exceptional and now it’s time for me to give him more minutes.

“That’s the intention. That’s why I put him in against Forest, I wanted to put him in against Sporting, to get in that rhythm because he can really impact the team.”

Gunners defender Gabriel is a concern for the game against West Ham on Saturday after being forced off through injury in the midweek game against Sporting.

Arteta also says a few of his players “weren’t able to train” ahead of the game.