Gary Neville Questions Raheem Sterling’s Football Intelligence at Arsenal

Sterling Struggles to Replace Havertz in Arsenal’s Attack

Former Manchester United defender and football pundit Gary Neville has raised concerns about Raheem Sterling’s ability to adapt his game as he ages, questioning his football intelligence.

Sterling, who joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea, has found himself on the fringes of Mikel Arteta’s squad. With Kai Havertz previously deployed as a false nine and Gabriel Jesus sidelined, Arsenal lacks a natural centre-forward. However, Sterling has struggled to fill the gap effectively.

Neville: Sterling Struggles Due to Declining Speed

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville explained why Sterling has not been able to reinvent himself like other players:

“When a quick player, like Michael Owen or Raheem Sterling, starts playing professionally at 16 or 17, their body has already gone through a full career by the time they reach 30.”

Sterling, now 30, was a regular starter at Liverpool by 17. Neville believes his physical decline has accelerated, making his body more comparable to that of a 34-year-old who started playing professionally at 20.

“Players who rely on speed, like Owen and Sterling, find it difficult to adapt to different roles because they don’t have the skillset or intelligence to compensate for the loss of pace.”

Can Sterling Find His Form Again?

Sterling’s peak years were at Manchester City, where he scored 79 goals between 2017 and 2020. City cashed in at the right time, selling him to Chelsea for £47.5m in 2022. Since then, his career has taken a downward turn, and this season at Arsenal has been one of his worst.

With Arsenal’s attacking crisis deepening, can Sterling rediscover his form, or is his time at the top level coming to an end? Share your thoughts in the comments!