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How Raheem Sterling has previously fared as a striker after Arsenal lose Kai Havertz for the season
Mikel Arteta has been left with a real headache in the attacking department at Arsenal.
Firstly, Arsenal lost Bukayo Saka to a torn hamstring in December during the 5-1 win at Crystal Palace, before the Gunners also saw Gabriel Jesus suffer a serious knee injury, ending the Brazilian’s season.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Gabriel Martinelli also suffered an injury during the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle, and then Kai Havertz tore his hamstring during the warm weather training camp in Dubai.
It leaves Mikel Arteta with Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard as his only senior attacking options at Arsenal, along with the 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, although one of these three have previously shone while playing in the centre of attack.
Raheem Sterling boasts a fine record as a striker
Since taking the England international on loan from Chelsea back in August, Arteta has mainly deployed him on the right.
Sterling has made ten appearances on that flank so far during his Arsenal career, along with four on the left and one in the centre.
The Arsenal No.30 has only scored once and assisted once – with both goal involvements coming from the left – although he holds a fantastic record playing as a striker during his time at Manchester City, where Pep Guardiola would often deploy the man from Kingston.
Sterling has played as a central striker on 62 occasions throughout his career, scoring 25 goals while also providing ten assists – averaging a goal every 2.5 appearances in that position.
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left Winger | 276 | 92 | 44 |
| Right Winger | 183 | 51 | 48 |
| Centre-Forward | 62 | 25 | 10 |
| Second Striker | 20 | 5 | 4 |
| Attacking Midfield | 16 | 5 | 4 |
| Left Midfield | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Right Midfield | 6 | 0 | 0 |
As you can see, the Chelsea loanee has also scored five goals in 20 games playing as a second striker just behind a No.9 – so he can be an effective option in the centre of attack for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has Raheem Sterling in mind after Arsenal lose Kai Havertz
Arteta has already named Sterling as a potential solution to the injury crisis at the Emirates Stadium, saying: “Leo can play in that position. Raheem has played in that position. Ethan, I think, can play in that position. Martinelli can play there.”
🗣 "Absolutely sublime!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL)
The assist by Joao Cancelo 😍
The finish by Raheem Sterling 🔥
Watch Manchester City vs Everton live on Sky Sports Premier League 📺
Interestingly, Declan Rice also feels he could score 20 goals a season if he played as a striker, so Arsenal could well push the England international further forward to deal with the loss of Havertz.
TBR Football also understand Arsenal are considering using a defender up top in the wake of the German’s torn hamstring – with Riccardo Calafiori one man who has shown his attacking prowess so far this season with impressive finishes away to Manchester City and Wolves.