Arsenal legend Ian Wright reveals one player that’s about to be important for the gunners this season

Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Raheem Sterling has a golden opportunity to prove himself at the Emirates amid the club’s ongoing injury crisis. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz all sidelined, Mikel Arteta’s attacking options are severely depleted, and Wright insists this is Sterling’s moment to step up and make an impact.

Speaking about Sterling’s situation, Wright said: “The opportunity has arisen for Sterling. This is the time where he should buckle down and say, ‘I have to make this work’ – otherwise, he’ll go out with a whimper.”

Sterling, who arrived at Arsenal on loan from Chelsea last summer, has struggled to make a significant impact so far this season. Despite flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency has left fans frustrated, and he has yet to cement his place in Arteta’s starting lineup. However, Wright believes that with so many key players out, the former Manchester City winger now has a chance to show why Arsenal brought him in.

GIRONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 29: Raheem Sterling of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Girona FC and Arsenal FC at Montilivi Stadium on January 29, 2025 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“The last time I saw him come on and do something in a short space of time was against Manchester United,” Wright continued. “That’s what you want to see from him, just come on and try to make something happen.”

Arsenal are currently in a fierce battle for the Premier League title, sitting second in the table behind Liverpool after 24 matches. With Arteta’s squad stretched thin, Sterling’s experience and quality could be crucial in the coming weeks. While he may not have been a regular starter this season, he now has a platform to prove he can be a difference-maker in Arsenal’s title push.

Wright also touched on the pressure Sterling is facing, particularly from the Arsenal fans who have yet to be fully convinced by his performances. “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,” he said.

Sterling’s struggles this season have been well-documented, but there is still time for him to turn things around. If he can produce match-winning performances in Arsenal’s crucial upcoming fixtures, he could transform his reputation among the fanbase and prove himself as a vital asset in the squad.

With Arsenal facing a pivotal run of games, including key clashes in the Premier League and Champions League, the next few weeks could define Sterling’s time at the club. Whether he rises to the occasion or fades into the background remains to be seen, but as Wright pointed out, this is an opportunity he cannot afford to waste.