Sterling's view on Arteta as Man City ace included on Arsenal wish-list

Arsenal have got their sights set on Manchester City's Raheem Sterling as they look to benefit from his current situation.

The forward, who has been at the Etihad since 2015, is in the midst of contract talks with club chiefs.

Discussions with City over extending his stay are underway again after they hit a bump at the end of last year when the player changed representatives.

A source at the Premier League champions told the Daily Star that talks are moving "slowly".

Sterling is also not the regular he once was under Pep Guardiola having previously enjoyed almost undroppable status.

City signed Jack Grealish in the summer to further bolster their options which has added more competition for Sterling.

Now Arsenal are planning to potentially take advantage of the situation as Mikel Arteta knows the player well from his time at the Etihad.

Raheem Sterling has worked with Mikel Arteta previously

What has Sterling said?

The 26-year-old worked with Arteta for over three years in Manchester.

Guardiola always spoke highly of his former No 2 and Sterling shares his view.

Speaking in October last year, the City star said: "(Arteta is) a person that had a lot of say here (at Man City). The manager trusted him here and he had a lot of influence on the players here and the team as well.

"So I knew once he went into Arsenal that it would be a great opportunity for him but also he would definitely implement what he wanted to bring in.

"And he's a person that will put his foot down and not let things slide as you can see with the boys at Arsenal. They know if they don't run they are most likely not going to play."

Arteta has endured a mixed tenure at the Emirates but his ruthless streak has been evident on several occasions as he shapes his squad.

The Spaniard has also been credited with having a clear philosophy, in spite of Arsenal's mixed results.

His intense, possession-based style is similar to that of Guardiola's, albeit with his own stamp.

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The forward's minutes have been slashed in recent months

Does Sterling have a Man City future?

Sterling scored 10 times in the Premier League last term - his lowest total in the last four years.

His overall total of 14 was also his lowest over the same time period.

That was down to reduced minutes on the pitch as he battled with the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and the ever emerging Phil Foden.

The forward returned for the Champions League final but often found himself on the bench in the weeks leading up to that.

City signed Kevin De Bruyne to a new £400,000-a-week deal recently but Sterling is unlikely to achieve that type of salary.

This term Sterling has started just two of his side's six games.