Mikel Arteta has explained that Arsenal's injury worries have cost Raheem Sterling minutes this season, but says the winger is "desperate" to play.

Sterling moved to across London in the summer, joining the Gunners from Chelsea on a season-long loan. However, the former Manchester City star has struggled for minutes under Mikel Arteta and has managed just four starts in all competitions, two of which have come against Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal have struggled with injuries this season and currently have five players out, all of whom are defenders. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori are all receiving medical treatment, and Arteta has explained that he has been forced to react to those setbacks with in-game tactical adjustments that have left Sterling out in the cold. Arteta insists, however, that he hopes to give Sterling more minutes as the season progresses.

Arteta told reporters: “There’s been moments. It’s been tough and very difficult for me as well to accept that I haven’t given him more.

“When he hasn’t started the games, 90 per cent of the subs that I make is related to saving minutes or because of injuries or avoiding injuries. It’s not tactical reasons. I would like him to play much more as I think he can impact the team in a very good way. He’s very good in the dressing room and is absolutely desperate to play.

“He had this very important role, impacting every game, and suddenly you are in this position for a while. Not just here but at Chelsea as well. So it’s always very difficult and I feel a lot of sympathy for players when they are in this moment. Hopefully we can change it.”

Arsenal, who are currently third in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Liverpool, face Everton at the Emirates on Saturday.