Why Raheem Sterling will miss Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid

Sterling has experienced a difficult time since he joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea last summer, having had to settle for 10 starts in 23 competitive appearances.

However, the 30-year-old produced his best performance in an Arsenal shirt in Wednesday's last-16 second leg against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium.

Sterling was given the chance to start after Mikel Arteta opted to make wholesale changes following his team's dominant 7-1 win in the away leg.

The former Manchester City man ultimately took advantage of the opportunity, providing assists for both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice in the 2-2 home draw.

Sterling suspended for Real Madrid clash

The first of those contributions helped him become the first Englishman to be involved in at least one Champions League goal for four different clubs.

However, it was not quite the perfect night for Sterling, who picked up a 93rd-minute yellow card for a challenge on Johan Bakayoko.

That represented Sterling's third yellow card of the Champions League main draw after he was previously cautioned in Arsenal's final two league phase games against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona.

Sterling will now serve a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation, meaning that he will miss the first leg of Arsenal's quarter-final meeting with Real Madrid at the Emirates on April 8.

The Chelsea loanee will then be available for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, which is scheduled to take place on April 16.

Sterling ready to play key role for Arsenal

While he may be suspended for next month's first leg, Sterling still believes that he can play an important role for Arsenal between now and the end of the season.

"I am still faithful that I have still got a big part to play," Sterling told TNT Sports following Wednesday's draw at the Emirates.

"You can only control what you can control. I have not had as many minutes as I would have liked but I have had the opportunities.

"It is down to myself to keep knocking at the door. I believe within myself that I have a lot to play here, whether it is 10 minutes, 45 or a start. I just need to be ready and try and help the team as much as possible."

Unfortunately for Sterling, he will not be able to play a part in Sunday's Premier League clash against Chelsea because he is ineligible to face his parent club.

Written by

Ben Sully