'Go out with a whimper' - Arsenal legend warns Raheem Sterling that he must step up in Kai Havertz's absence as Gunners chase down Liverpool in Premier League title race

The Gunners have been dealt a significant blow with Gabriel Jesus already sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, leaving Havertz as the only recognized striker in Mikel Arteta’s squad. However, the German international has now also been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring injury, further complicating Arsenal’s attacking situation. Despite speculation linking Arsenal with several strikers in the January transfer window, the club opted against making a signing. Now, with Havertz unavailable, Arteta must find an internal solution - and Sterling could be part of that plan.

Since joining Arsenal on loan from Chelsea last summer, Sterling has struggled for consistent game time, making only three Premier League starts. While naturally a wide forward, he has experience playing in a central attacking role and could now be required to fill that gap.

Wright, speaking on the Stick to Footballpodcast, made it clear that Sterling is running out of chances to prove himself at Arsenal.

"For Kai Havertz to get an injury at this stage is just devastating," Wright said. "You can pull a hamstring, but something has gone wrong if it's ruptured to the point where he's out for the season. He's played a lot of games for us, and Mikel Arteta would be thinking that he needed to get a player in January. The opportunity that has arisen for him [Sterling], this is the time where he should buckle down and say, 'I have to make this work'.

"Otherwise, he'll go out with a whimper. The last time I saw him come on and do something in a short space of time, was against Manchester United – that’s what you want to see from him, just come on and try to make something happen. The fans are hoping as well – you can hear their groans, so you feel that he's in that place where if he doesn't do anything positive, he can hear them coming – and that's not a great place to be."

Saka underwent hamstring surgery in December and is not expected to return until March. Whereas, Martinelli is set for a month-long spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s win over Newcastle United on February 5. And with Arsenal’s depth in forward positions shrinking, Arteta now has only three senior attacking players at his disposal - Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, and Sterling.

Arsenal’s attacking struggles come at a crucial point in their season, with key fixtures on the horizon. Their next challenge is a trip to Leicester City on Saturday, where Arteta will need to improvise with his forward line. Just days later, Arsenal face West Ham United at home on February 22.

With so much at stake, Arsenal need someone to step up and fill the void left by Havertz, Jesus, and Martinelli - and Wright has made it clear that Sterling must seize his moment or risk facing oblivion.