There was a time in Raheem Sterling's career when he didn't need to think too much.
Cutting in from the left to slide towards the back post following a pass from Riyad Mahrez through the six-yard box became a perpetual, and seemingly unstoppable, feature of Manchester City's exciting attacking repertoire.
Sterling often returned the favor to his Algerian colleague. Like clockwork. We would see Sterling score the same goal or provide the same assist week after week after week.
Of course, there was more to his game. Ask Pep Guardiola. There was freedom and dynamism in Sterling that captured the imagination. But recently that muscle memory has slipped away.
Sterling, who emerged as one of European football's most prominent attacking talents (let's not forget that in 2019 he scored a staggering 53 goals and assists for City, behind only Lionel Messi (55), is now a shadow of his former self. which was before.
Watching Sterling's pained expression as he trudged off the pitch following his 61st-minute substitution in Wednesday night's north London derby was a tough sight.
Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez were once two prongs of a devastating attack on Manchester City
With Pep Guardiola, the English striker was one of the most lethal strikers in football.
As such, watching him trudge Wednesday night for 61 minutes was difficult watching.
I did it? Ought? And if? You could see Sterling's brain working overtime during what was an ineffective hour for the attacker on what was undoubtedly his biggest night in an Arsenal shirt so far.
And therein lies the problem for Sterling, who is trying to recover in north London after being sent off by Chelsea last summer. Thinking too much on a football field kills the vibes. That effervescent aura we associate with the 30-year-old left him during his loan spell at the Emirates Stadium.
A player, as those behind Arsenal will tell you, is suffering a crisis of confidence which is perhaps understandable given the attention he receives off the pitch. Everyone has an opinion about Sterling, and when those judgments are negative, it can be difficult to avoid them.
Not that Mikel Arteta is ruling it out just yet. With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus out with long-term injuries, Arsenal need Sterling more than ever. There are only four fit forwards left, along with Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, and they are still, practically, in three competitions.
Arteta praised Sterling's performance after coming on as a 40th-minute substitute in place of Jesus in Sunday's FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester United, when the Brazilian suffered an ACL injury that will rule him out. for up to one year.
Even in his disappointing performance against Tottenham on Wednesday night, Sterling won more duels and made more tackles than any player on the field during the first 45 minutes. Those are the kind of numbers that fly under the radar, but that Arteta certainly appreciates.
However, defensive discipline was not what Sterling was brought in for and there is a sense that the Emirates crowd wants more from the striker. That's understandable. We remember the player he was; achievements during seven trophy-laden years at the Etihad.
Of course, his City career wasn't always a bed of roses. His start under Guardiola saw him linked with an exit during the early months of the Spaniard's reign.
Mikel Arteta praised Sterling's involvement in the FA Cup defeat at the weekend
Sterling is looking to recover in north London after being loaned out by Chelsea.
During England's disastrous Euro 2016 campaign, Sterling called himself the “hater” following criticism of his performances in France during the tournament.
Sterling is used to being in the line of fire, but overall his performances and numbers have kept him out of harm's way. External criticism and pressure is something Sterling has historically struggled hard to deal with.
Some players may isolate themselves from social media and the world of 24-hour news. But Sterling isn't cut that way. With this in mind, it is likely that the criticism directed at his management in recent weeks has not gone unnoticed.
Of course, there is an acknowledgment that his loan move across London from Chelsea has not gone the way he would have liked. Sterling will accept it. But, equally, Arteta would be the first to recognize that the circumstances of a season interrupted by injuries have worked against Sterling.
And when he did get a chance, he had to be hooked in the 30th minute of his second Premier League start for the club, when Arteta had to change course following William Saliba's sending off at Bournemouth on October 19.
Last month, the Arsenal manager said: “It's been tough and very difficult for me to accept that I haven't given him more.” When he has not started the games, 90 percent of the substitutions I make are related to saving minutes or due to injuries or to avoid injuries. They are not tactical reasons.
“I would like him to play a lot more because I think he can have a very good impact on the team. He is very good in the locker room and is absolutely desperate to play. Hopefully we can change him.”
Finding rhythm and being in match shape are the most pertinent factors behind Sterling's problems. He has only made seven league appearances so far, four of them off the bench, and just 13 in total, with his only goal for Arsenal coming in the 5-1 League Cup win against Bolton. . These are not ideal conditions for a player joining a new team.
Arteta has spoken about the difficulties he has had by not giving Sterling regular minutes
Sterling has been limited to 13 games, conditions that are not optimal for adapting to a new team.
Those formidable attacking combinations and almost telepathic understandings he had developed with his team-mates at City were out of reach due to his lack of playing time. A knee injury suffered last month didn't help either.
However, there is still time to change the narrative. Talk to those at the club's training headquarters, they will describe a player who has maintained his professionalism despite inconsistencies.
Benching someone with Sterling's gravitas isn't easy, but from all indications, he's been respectful and encouraging to those ahead of him in the pecking order.
With Arsenal looking to strengthen up front ahead of next season, his stay in north London looks likely to come to an end in the summer, while Chelsea have made it clear that he is not part of their plans.
Sterling wants to play at the highest level for as long as possible. His obsession during this campaign with proving his worth will help ensure he has the opportunities to fulfill those ambitions heading into next season.
Considering his track record, it would be a risk to bet against Sterling. His achievements speak for themselves. The trophies, the goals, the assists, 82 caps for England and a leading role on the road to the Euro 2020 final. He deserves respect.
But the past counts for very little and Sterling doesn't need to be reminded of it. Can he prove people wrong…again?