‘I know what I am capable of’

Raheem Sterling remains confident that he has a “big part to play” at Arsenal and insists he has the ability to help the club fulfil their ambitions.

Sterling has been on the periphery at Emirates Stadium for the majority of his loan spell, taking on a watching brief as 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has stepped into the limelight to cover a serious hamstring injury to Bukayo Saka.

The 30-year-old has played just 307 minutes of Premier League football – the equivalent of less than three-and-a-half games – and had notched just a solitary goal and two assists in domestic and European cup competition before Wednesday night’s Champions League round of 16 clash with PSV Eindhoven.

Written off by many, Sterling put in an impressive performance for Arsenal in the 2-2 draw – which sealed a comprehensive 9-3 aggregate win – grabbing the assists for both of the Gunners’ goals.

Sterling, who played the full 90 minutes, was full of confidence after the game, stating his desire to play more for Mikel Arteta in order to prove what he can do.

“I know what I am capable of,” Sterling told TNT Sports. “You just want to be playing. You are at a top club with top players and you just have to wait for your moment. And that is what I am doing.

“I am still faithful that I have still got a big part to play. You can only control what you can control. I have not had as many minutes as I would have liked but I have had the opportunities.

“It is down to myself to keep knocking at the door. I believe within myself that I have a lot to play here, whether it is 10 minutes, 45 or a start. I just need to be ready and try and help the team as much as possible.

“Yes we are a few points behind (in the Premier League title race) but there are all different circumstances (for that). I think the boys have done really well and in the last bit of the season (are ready) to give it a right push.”

Sterling must now hope his display has propelled him into the forefront of Arteta’s mind. The Spaniard preferred to use a front three of Nwaneri, Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard at the height of Arsenal’s injury crisis, with Gabriel Martinelli also now fit and able to challenge for a place on the left.

Saka will return at some point, potentially in April, but Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the rest of the 2024/25 season – meaning they will take no part in Arsenal’s two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid.

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