Arsenal displayed their squad depth and talent in a dominant performance against PSV, showcasing contributions from Raheem Sterling and Oleksander Zinchenko.

Match Overview

Other than those pesky goals conceded, this night went about as well as Mikel Arteta could have wished. Not for a moment did the six-goal margin Arsenal built for themselves in the first leg look under threat. The opportunity presented itself for him to indulge his unconventional desire to deploy as many left backs as one football team could hold. Best of all, however, the players who really needed to make something of tonight took to their task with gusto.

For Raheem Sterling in particular, this was the last chance saloon. Not in terms of winning a long-term future for himself at Arsenal, that ship sailed months ago. We long since passed the point where it was fair to question whether any other Premier League club would be inclined to take on the reclamation project that has proven beyond Arteta this season.

The Sterling that Arsenal borrowed from Chelsea at a knockdown rate in the summer had evidently fallen from his peak, but had spent most of the preceding season being an eminently serviceable Premier League winger. This year’s model has lopped a fair wedge off almost every major statistic bar his expected goals (xG) and shots, both of which you would expect to be notably higher as a substitute for Arsenal than a starter for Chelsea.

Beyond what the numbers could tell you, Sterling’s confidence seems to have evaporated since Enzo Maresca concluded he did not even merit a squad place at Stamford Bridge. He no longer relishes going at his full back, when he feels compelled to he tends to come off second best.

Raheem Sterling serves it up on a plate for Declan Rice 🍽️ pic.twitter.com/Nrq7nbyWIi

Still, this had been the Sterling that Arsenal needed two months ago, before 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and repurposed left back Kieran Tierney became more palatable options for Arteta. It is then typical of the season so far for Sterling that this game, at the very least one to build momentum from, comes 20 days before his next competitive fixture, barring a remarkable England call-up.

“I was very happy for him and for a lot of individuals as well that they haven’t had a lot of minutes recently,” said Arteta. “You could tell in the second half that we lacked the physical capabilities to make certain efforts and arrive to certain spaces at the right time. But overall, very happy that they got the minutes and they responded.”

Meanwhile, in his defensive third, Sterling still looks lost, a risk to give the ball back to the opposition in the most dangerous spots. Most of all, though, one clunky and unnecessary tackle in the 93rd minute means that even if Arteta were inclined to trust Sterling in the quarterfinal, he will be suspended.