‘A real problem’: Pat Nevin says Arsenal defender couldn’t handle £50m Chelsea player

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Pat Nevin thinks Raheem Sterling gave Oleksandr Zinchenko a torrid time in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Raheem Sterling helped his side to win a penalty in the first half and Nevin, who was commentating on the game for the BBC, feels Zinchenko and Arsenal struggled to deal with the winger at times.

Sterling has really impressed this season and was in fine form just before the recent international break.

In Chelsea’s 4-1 win against Burnley prior to the Arsenal match, he scored one goal and won a penalty for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

It has been some turnaround, with the 28-year-old having really struggled last term following his £50m move from Manchester City (BBC Sport). He only managed to score six Premier League goals in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Raheem Sterling a real problem for Oleksandr Zinchenko

On Sterling’s first-half performance in Chelsea’s London derby against Arsenal, Nevin said while on commentary duty for the BBC: “Zinchenko has a real problem on his hands.

“A nominal left-back that we know likes to step up into midfield, but every time he does Sterling has him in behind.”

Raheem Sterling making a point to Gareth Southgate

Sterling has been left out of England’s last two squads, but he is really starting to influence games at Chelsea now.

If the former City man continues to do so, then you would expect him to win a Three Lions recall.

Last season, things did not go to plan for Sterling and Chelsea as a whole, with the Blues finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Maybe the England international was hit hard after Thomas Tuchel, the manager who brought him to the club, was replaced by Graham Potter early in the season, or perhaps he was still adapting at Stamford Bridge.

Whatever the case, it was not a good campaign for Sterling, but things look like they could be a lot different this time around.

Next up for the Chelsea star is another London derby, with Pochettino’s men taking on Brentford next Saturday.