Mikel Arteta wants Raheem Sterling to deliver to keep Arsenal in the title race

Mikel Arteta has called on Raheem Sterling to rediscover his form to ensure Arsenal remain hot on Liverpool's heels in the Premier League title race.

Injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli leaves only Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Sterling as the club's recognised forwards.

But although Nwaneri, 17, impressed in Arsenal's win at Leicester last weekend, Sterling was withdrawn after 69 minutes with his replacement, Mikel Merino, scoring a match-winning brace.

Sterling, on loan from Chelsea, has started just four league matches and scored only once this season - in a Carabao Cup win against Bolton at the Emirates in September.

But he could be handed another start in Arsenal's fixture against West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday. A victory against their London rivals would take Arteta's squad five points behind Liverpool, who play Manchester City at the Etihad a day later.

Asked if Sterling could still have a big impact on Arsenal's campaign, Arteta replied: "He has to have it because we really need him.

"Raheem is so experienced, and like many other players, we know that what you did yesterday is not whether it was really good or not. That could be relevant to the next game, to the next action. He's fully focused, he's trained really well this week, and he is ready to go again."

Arteta hailed Sterling's arrival from Chelsea on deadline day, but the former England international, a four-time title winner with City, has been well short of the form which transformed him into one of the league's best players.

Put to Arteta that the 30-year-old could be struggling with his confidence, Arteta continued: "Hopefully not because we try to give him as much as possible, but that's a question for him.

"W