Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has singled out Arsenal winger Raheem Sterling as one of the Premier League’s biggest disappointments this season, claiming the England international has ‘stunk the place out’, Soccernet.football reports.
Arsenal have endured an inconsistent start to the campaign, winning just five of their opening 11 Premier League matches.
Despite sitting fourth in the table, the Gunners are nine points behind league leaders Liverpool and four points adrift of Manchester City in second.
The north London side’s recent struggles have seen them go four league matches without a win, with summer signings failing to make a significant impact.
Sterling, on loan from Chelsea, has faced sharp criticism after starting only two league matches this season.
“Raheem Sterling has been a massive disappointment,” Collymore told the Metro. “He came in and said he was going to give the club his best work, but that hasn’t happened.
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“He’s arguably stunk the place out so far and he’s definitely one of the flops of the season. He’s an experienced player who has won everything there is to win, he was expected to push the dressing room up another level and he hasn’t done that.”
Another summer addition, Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, has also struggled. The £42 million signing has endured a mixed start to life at the Emirates due to recurring injuries.
Collymore added: “Arsenal spent £42 million on Riccardo Calafiori which has been a mildly disappointing move so far. He’s had a couple of injuries, but he was meant to come in and be the man.”
Collymore also questioned Arsenal’s decision to sell academy product Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham. The midfielder has thrived at his new club while Arsenal have struggled to cope with the absence of injured captain Martin Ødegaard.
“Emile Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham also shows that Arsenal haven’t exactly been amazing in who they’ve let go, because he’s done very well for Fulham,” Collymore continued. “Especially with the injury to Martin Ødegaard, Smith Rowe could’ve slotted into that position.”
As Arsenal’s title hopes begin to fade, Mikel Arteta faces mounting pressure to extract better performances from his squad.
