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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Arsenal going through an injury crisis </li><li>Jesus &amp; Havertz remain sidelined with injuries </li><li>Trossard, Nwaneri, &amp; Sterling remain the only options </li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Go out with a whimper' - Arsenal legend warns Raheem Sterling that he must step up in Kai Havertz's absence as Gunners chase down Liverpool in Premier League title race

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Arsenal

<p>The Gunners have been dealt a significant blow with Gabriel Jesus already sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, leaving <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/kai-havertz-season-is-over-arsenal-star-suffers-torn-hamstring-dubai-training-camp-mikel-arteta-another-devastating-injury-blow/blt7a839c91e959a122#cs6101ffad785eadfb" target="_blank">Havertz as the only recognized striker in Mikel Arteta’s</a> squad. However, the German international has now also been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-new-injury-scare-kai-havertz-muscle-problem-during-mid-season-trip-dubai/blt7aadda0ff8384885#csd56d06ce9c75cae7" target="_blank">with a hamstring injury,</a> further complicating Arsenal’s attacking situation. Despite speculation linking Arsenal with several strikers in the January transfer window, the club opted against making a signing. Now, with Havertz unavailable, Arteta must find an internal solution - and Sterling could be part of that plan. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Since joining Arsenal on loan from Chelsea last summer, Sterling has struggled for consistent game time, making only three Premier League starts. While naturally a wide forward, he has experience playing in a central attacking role and could now be required to fill that gap. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Wright, speaking on the <a href="https://m.skybet.com/" target="_blank"><em>Stick to Football</em></a><em> </em>podcast, made it clear that Sterling is running out of chances to prove himself at Arsenal.</p><p>"For Kai Havertz to get an injury at this stage is just devastating," Wright said. "You can pull a hamstring, but something has gone wrong if it's ruptured to the point where he's out for the season. He's played a lot of games for us, and Mikel Arteta would be thinking that he needed to get a player in January. The opportunity that has arisen for him [Sterling], this is the time where he should buckle down and say, 'I have to make this work'. </p><p>"Otherwise, he'll go out with a whimper. The last time I saw him come on and do something in a short space of time, was against Manchester United – that’s what you want to see from him, just come on and try to make something happen. The fans are hoping as well – you can hear their groans, so you feel that he's in that place where if he doesn't do anything positive, he can hear them coming – and that's not a great place to be."</p>

WHAT WRIGHT SAID

<p>Saka underwent hamstring surgery in December and is not expected to return until March. Whereas, Martinelli is set for a month-long spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s win over Newcastle United on February 5. And with Arsenal’s depth in forward positions shrinking, Arteta now has only three senior attacking players at his disposal - Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, and Sterling. </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Arsenal’s attacking struggles come at a crucial point in their season, with key fixtures on the horizon. Their next challenge is a trip to Leicester City on Saturday, where Arteta will need to improvise with his forward line. Just days later, Arsenal face West Ham United at home on February 22.</p><p>With so much at stake, Arsenal need someone to step up and fill the void left by Havertz, Jesus, and Martinelli - and Wright has made it clear that Sterling must seize his moment or risk facing oblivion. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

'Go out with a whimper' - Arsenal legend warns Raheem Sterling that he must step up in Kai Havertz's absence as Gunners chase down Liverpool in Premier League title race | Goal.com

Arsenal legend Ian Wright warned Raheem Sterling that he must step up in Kai Havertz&apos;s absence or be ready to &quot;go out with a whimper&quot;.

&apos;Go out with a whimper&apos; - Arsenal legend warns Raheem Sterling that he must step up in Kai Havertz&apos;s absence as Gunners chase down Liverpool in Premier League title race

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