Mikel Arteta has admitted the difficulty of finding minutes for Raheem Sterling at Arsenal due to the need to manage a number of fitness issues plaguing his squad.
Sterling vowed that fans would see the best of him after his shock loan move from Chelsea, but he has only seen 356 minutes of action in ten matches in all competitions. He has played more than half his Premier League football just once so far.
Acknowledging that the situation was not ideal for Sterling, Arteta insisted there were too many fitness issues in his squad for him to be able to give the winger minutes.
“There were moments,” he said. “It was hard and also very difficult for me to accept that I didn't give him more.
“When he's not starting matches, 90% of the substitutions I make are related to saving minutes or due to injuries or avoiding injuries. They are not tactical reasons. I would like him to play a lot more because I think he can influence the team in a very good way, he is Very good in the dressing room and absolutely excited to play.
“He had this very important role, he had an impact on every game, and suddenly you're in that position for a while. Not just here but in Chelsea also. So it's always very difficult and I feel a lot of sympathy for the players when they're in that moment. Hopefully we can change it.”
Sterling's loan from Chelsea is believed to be financially favourable Arsenal. The Gunners paid no loan fee to sign the winger and are also claimed to be paying less than half his wages, with Chelsea keen to get as much of his wages off the books as possible.
The agreement does not include an option for future transfers, with Sterling set to return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
