Arsenal’s summer signing has been labeled the Premier League’s “flop of the season” after a disappointing start at the Emirates.
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Despite two underwhelming seasons at Stamford Bridge, following a decorated spell at Manchester City where he won four Premier League titles in seven seasons, hopes were high for a revival under Mikel Arteta.
The move was seen as a chance for redemption and a pathway back into England’s national team.
However, his time at the Emirates has started poorly, with only one goal in a 5-1 Carabao Cup win against lower-league Bolton Wanderers.
With just two league starts and no appearances in key losses to Newcastle and Inter Milan, concerns are growing. Former striker Stan Collymore has suggested his Arsenal future already looks bleak.
‘Raheem Sterling has been a massive disappointment,’ Collymore told Metro. ‘He came in and said he was going to give the club his best work, but that hasn’t happened.
‘He’s arguably stunk the place out so far and he’s definitely one of the flops of the season having promised to do his best work at Arsenal.
‘He’s an experienced player who has won everything there is to win, he was expected to push the dressing room up another level and he hasn’t done that.’
Collymore’s criticism extended beyond Sterling, as the former striker also expressed disappointment with the early performances of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.
The defender made an immediate impact with a stunning goal against City in his debut but has been sidelined since sustaining an injury during the match against Shakhtar Donetsk in late October.
‘Arsenal spent £42 million on Riccardo Calafiori which has been a mildly disappointing move so far,’ he added. ‘He’s had a couple of injuries, but he was meant to come in and be the man.’
Given Sterling’s poor start and Arsenal’s lack of fluency in the attacking third, Collymore believes the club could also live to regret the sale of Emile Smith Rowe who joined Fulham this summer.
‘Emile Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham also shows that Arsenal haven’t exactly been amazing in who they’ve let go, because he’s done very well for Fulham,’ he said.
‘Especially with the injury to Martin Ødegaard as well, Smith Rowe could’ve slotted into that position.’
