Raheem Sterling: Now or never for Arsenal loanee as 'devastating' Kai Havertz injury creates opportunity | OneFootball

Gunners are down to just two fit recognised senior forwards after Kai Havertz injury

Arsenal legend Ian Wright says Raheem Sterling must take his chance with Kai Havertz out injured.

With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined long-term, the Gunners’ worst fears were realised after the transfer window closed when Gabriel Martinelli sustained a hamstring injury in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg loss to Newcastle.

"He has played a lot of games for us and again you look at Arsenal and this is why I suppose with Mikel he'll probably be thinking (he needed that attacker in). Without a doubt."

It’s likely that Arteta will turn to Sterling for a key role, at least until Saka and Martinelli are available for selection again, though he’s not exactly stood out for the right reasons since joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Sterling has scored just once in 18 appearances and that was against Bolton in the Carabao Cup back in September.

However, Wright believes Havertz's injury means Sterling is in a now or never situation with regards to ensuring his Arsenal loan is remembered for the right reasons: "He does play up front but I don't know what to say with Raheem.

"The opportunity that's arose for him, I thought this is the time where he would have went 'wow, OK, I've left (Manchester) City, I've gone to Chelsea, it's not gone right but Arsenal, who are trying to challenge for it, have come in for me'.

"I thought that this would have been, for whatever is happening, (time for) him to buckle down and say 'right, I'm going to make this work, I have to make this work'. Or else, he's going to go out with a whimper.

Ian Wright has set Raheem Sterling a challenge.

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"The last time I saw him really come on and do something in a short space of time was against (Manchester) United. That's what you want to see from him - just come on and try and make something happen.

"You're hoping (he can do something) and I think the fans are hoping as well because as soon as he gets it and he comes back, you can hear their groans.

"So, you just feel like he's in that place where if he doesn't do something positive, he knows that it's coming, and I think that's not a good place to be."