Mikel Arteta confirms double Arsenal transfer call as Raheem Sterling loan future decided

Chelsea-owned Sterling made his first Champions League start of the season in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb, but he was ineffective once again and came off before the hour mark.

Sterling has only managed to contribute one goal and two assists from 15 matches since his last-minute move to the Emirates on deadline day, playing a mere 215 minutes in the Premier League.

However, that is still 215 more minutes than Bournemouth loanee Neto has managed, as the 35-year-old is yet to make his Gunners debut since joining as Aaron Ramsdale's temporary replacement.

David Raya has stayed injury-free all season, and Neto has also been ineligible for the EFL Cup on account of representing Bournemouth earlier in the competition, allowing teenage duo Jack Porter and Tommy Setford to make their first-team debuts.

Arteta rules out sending Sterling back to Chelsea

As Premier League clubs can only have two players on loan from a fellow Premier League side at any one time, Arsenal are currently unable to sign another player from an English top-flight rival on a temporary deal.

The fact that Sterling and Neto have only been bit-part players has led to the suggestion that they could be axed this month, thus opening up one or two spots for Arsenal to bring in another Premier League player.

However, even though the Gunners are making no progress in their bid to sign a new striker, Arteta insisted that ending Sterling or Neto's loans are not an option, responding: "We're not thinking about that," when asked in Friday's press conference.

As a result, Arsenal could only complete a January deal for someone like Matheus Cunha permanently, although Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Vitor Pereira delivered a firm response when recently questioned on the Brazilian's future.

Arsenal had previously been tipped to enter the running for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, although they could still benefit if the England international joins a particular European giant instead.

Is there an argument to end Sterling, Neto loans?

On the face of it, getting rid of an attacking player while Arsenal are already trying to add more attacking players is nonsensical, but it is clear that Sterling is a shadow of the winger he once was.

The ex-Manchester City man at least tried to be more direct against Dinamo Zagreb and take on his man, but his efforts were futile, and it is difficult to envisage a springtime revival for Sterling.

If sending the 30-year-old back to Chelsea could help Arsenal attract a younger and more versatile Rashford, that could very well be an avenue for the Gunners to explore, although they would first have to convince Man United to loan the attacker out to a Premier League rival.

In Neto's case, however, the South American is at least providing invaluable experience to the likes of Setford and Porter behind closed doors, even if there is a chance that he will end his Arsenal stint with no minutes to his name.

Should Raya indeed suffer a serious injury between now and the end of the season, Neto would be a reliable backup, and the ex-Barcelona man can sleep soundly knowing that he will not be on the move this month.

Written by

Ben Knapton