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Gary Lineker gives his theory over why Raheem Sterling is struggling so badly at Arsenal

Giuseppe Labellarte

Sat 1 February 2025 9:45, UK

Arsenal have had a decent season so far, with most of their players doing well as the Gunners remain in the picture for the Premier League title and the Champions League.

However, there have been some Arsenal players who have struggled, with Raheem Sterling having failed to make much of an impact since his switch from Chelsea.

Sterling joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea right before the summer transfer deadline, arriving to much fanfare.

Five months on, he only has 723 minutes of football under his belt at Arsenal, with one goal to his name – in the League Cup.

Gary Lineker has now spoken about Sterling amid his struggles at Arsenal and gave his theory as to why this might be the case.

READ MORE: Arsenal told why they need to hijack Tottenham move for Fikayo Tomori

Gary Lineker wonders whether too much football at a young age has affected Raheem Sterling

Lineker, speaking on The Rest Is Football, stressed that he’s always loved Sterling as a player, saying he’s “brilliant” and never backs down.

The BBC Sport pundit speculated whether the amount of first-team football Sterling has played from a young age could have contribute to his current situation.

“I love Raheem, I always have,” said Lineker. “He has been a brilliant player for so long.

“Do you know what I like about Raheem? He is always willing to put himself up for it. He is never afraid.

“If there was a penalty next week, if he was allowed, he’d put grab that ball and go and take it.

“I admire him for it. It’s one of the reasons that he has had the career he’s had.

“I know it’s not been probably what he would have wanted over the last couple of years but I wonder if that’s because he played so much football at such a young age.”

How much football Sterling played as a youngster

Sterling made his Liverpool debut in March 2012 at the age of 17 years and 107 days, becoming the third-youngest player to play for the club at the time.

Sterling became a first-team regular the following season, clocking up 36 competitive outings for the Reds.

By the time he left Liverpool as a 20-year-old, he had already clocked up 123 competitive appearances for the club.

In his last season at Anfield and his first season at Manchester City, he made 99 competitive club outings.