Mikel Arteta has bigger problem than Arsenal red card issue to think about vs Liverpool

Mikel Arteta has a bigger issue than Arsenal’s current disciplinary record to worry about ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.

Arsenal slumped to their first defeat of the season away to Bournemouth last time out, with William Saliba sent off midway through the first half.

It means all three occasions Arsenal have dropped points this term they’ve been reduced to 10 men – a trend Arteta insists must be bucked if the capital club are to finish the season as champions.

Away from the red cards, Arteta has a much bigger problem to concern himself with.

Raheem Sterling was heralded as a transfer masterstroke when he arrived on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, but so far the England international has underwhelmed in red and white.

Across his seven appearances, Sterling’s only goal contributions came during Arsenal League Cup third-round victory against League One Bolton Wanderers.

Sterling was handed a starting berth in both of the north Londoners’ previous two league outings but failed to make an impact in either.

The 29-year-old was hooked after a disappointing display with the game level against Southampton – a fixture Arsenal went onto win 3-1.

Before Sterling was sacrificed at the Vitality last weekend following Saliba’s clumsy first-half dismissal.

It hasn’t posed much of a complication for Arteta yet, given Sterling was brought in to add depth to an often-stretched Arsenal squad.

But given the injuries continue to mount for last season’s runners-up, namely star attacker Bukayo Saka, Arteta can ill-afford any passengers.

That’s especially from players who aren’t even permanently contracted to the club either, not least because it could block the pathway for one of Arsenal’s stellar young talents.

Talented teen Ethan Nwaneri has dazzled when called upon this season and if Sterling continues to frustrate, it won’t be long before the Arsenal faithful are calling for Arteta to rejig his set-up to find a way for the 17-year-old to play.

Sterling is no stranger to this kind of pressure though.

The Boy from Brent, as he’s affectionately known, has dealt with adversity, both on and off the pitch, throughout his career and few would bet against the ex-Manchester City star performing another remarkable redemption act.

But with his 30th birthday just over a month away, time isn’t on the forward’s side and if he wants to make his temporary stay at the Emirates Stadium a permanent one, he needs to begin making an impression, starting with Sunday’s clash against his former side.