Former Manchester United striker, Michael Owen has insisted that Raheem Sterling was a bit rusty during Arsenal’s Premier League 2-0 win against Leicester City on Saturday.
According to Owen, Mikel Merino will take Sterling’s place in Arsenal’s next game due to his his ‘really poor performance’ against Leicester.
Sterling struggled against the Foxes and was replaced by Merino just over the hour mark.
Merino then scored two late goals to secure all three points for the Gunners against the hosts at the King Power Stadium.
Speaking about Sterling’s display, Owen told Premier League Productions: “The only thing I would say to back him up in a way is that when you don’t play regularly it really affects you, it affects your rhythm.
“You could see he was almost tripping over himself at times, standing offside there’s no excuse for that, even when he’s 50 he should know how to time a run and how to look across a line.
“I agree, it is sad to see him put in a really poor performance but the one thing I would say is it might be because he’s a little bit rusty.
“Now he’s going to get the opportunity, probably off the bench again now because Merino’s going to take his place for the next game, it’s going to be an impact thing.
“He’s got to grab these chances because at his age there are not many opportunities left.”
Arsenal’s next game is against West Ham United next weekend.
