- Sterling has had problems having an impact since he joined loan during the summer
- Mikel Arteta has urged him to step forward, and revealed a positive update of injuries
- Listen now: Everything is starting! Can you really judge ineos after 12 months?
Mikel Arteta has urged Raheem Sterling to step forward, saying 'we really need it' to help reinforce the first line with arsenal injuries.
The 30 -year -old has started only four Premier League games so far this season, since he had been disappointed since he signed the Chelsea loan on the day of the summer transfer deadline.
It comes when the gunners fight with injuries to Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Hvertz and Gabriel Jesús.
Saka and Martinelli aim to return next month, although Tomiyasu, Havertz and Jesus are out until next season.
A arsenal victory against West Ham on Saturday would reduce the gap between North London Club and Liverpool only five points ahead of the Reds against Manchester City on Sunday.
Arteta said: 'Yes (Sterling can have a great impact), and it has to have it because we really need it.
Mikel Arteta has urged Raheem Sterling to step forward in the middle of the arsenal injury crisis
Sterling has started only four Premier League games this campaign on Chelsea's loan
Arteta suggested that Sterling will need the correct 'mentality' to enter the team for the match
'I hope there is not (little confidence) because we try to give him as much as possible, but that is a question for him.
'But we are all behind him, we want the best for him. It will be really important and we need the best of itself. We need players only with that mentality, be here to impact the team.
Meanwhile, Ben White is in dispute to play in a great impulse for Arsenal.
The 27-year-old has been out of action since mid-November after undergoing knee surgery, returning to the Bank of the Gunners for his 2-0 victory over Leicester last weekend.
The full back is now ready to take the next step and return to action.
“It's (white) ready to play,” said Arteta.
“If you start or not a decision we will make tomorrow, but it is certainly now available to be part of the group.”
The PSV Eindhoven were drawn yesterday as the Arsenal Champions League the last 16 opponents, with the first game on March 4 at the Philips Stadion.
Ben White is finally ready to play, says Arteta, after being injured since mid -November
The two sides faced last season in a game of the dead rubber group in the competition, which ended 1-1.
When facing the PSV, Arteta added: 'Well, we play against them (last season). They are a very good team. We know it.
'We know what we face. When you are at this stage, each team is very, very good. When the time comes, we will be ready for it.
