Beyond what the numbers could tell you, Sterling's confidence seems to have evaporated since Enzo Maresca concluded he did not even merit a squad place at Stamford Bridge. He no longer relishes going at his full back, when he feels compelled to he tends to come off second best.

It has been tempting, in recent weeks, to conclude that Raheem Sterling is simply no longer part of Mikel Arteta’s plans. The winger has hardly played for Arsenal recently and, against Manchester United at the weekend,

Arsenal cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League by knocking out PSV Eindhoven. The Gunners were already in control of the last-16 tie after winning the first leg in Eindhoven last week 7-1.