Although Sterling has not been a regular for Arteta this season he has been an attacking option at a time whereby injuries have limited rotation. On Sunday away to Manchester United Sterling was left on the bench with Kieran Tierney favoured on the wing as an impact substitute.
Arteta did risk losing Sterling by starting him but Arsenal had very few other players available in the frontline. Tierney played from the off here with Mikel Merino preferred in his unorthodox striker role.
Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli were also one booking away from a one-match ban but only came on in the closing stages. Arsenal lead twice on the night but were pegged back. Their first-leg demolition in the Netherlands paved the way for a huge 9-3 aggregate win.
UEFA rules mean that Timber and Martinelli could still miss the second leg away in Madrid if they are cautioned in the first match. Arteta can still call upon Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard in the wide areas.
It was Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko who got the goals here. Sterling set them both up, crossing onto Rice's head for the second whilst Zinchenko curled in a brilliant opener from his pass. Rice was also booked on Wednesday night which puts him one away from a suspension for the second leg.
Arsenal rotated their side ahead of welcoming Chelsea to north London on Sunday. They will then have to wait until after the international break to play their next knockout matches.
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