Raheem Sterling has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Chelsea after being sidelined by new head coach Enzo Maresca. The 29-year-old winger, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £47.5 million in 2022, found himself out of favor under Maresca, who preferred a different type of player for his tactical setup.
Sterling’s exclusion from Chelsea’s squad became evident when he was left out of their opening match against Manchester City on August 18 and remained absent from the following matchday squads. As a result, Sterling sought a fresh start, leading to a last-minute loan move to Arsenal that was finalized after the transfer deadline had passed.
The move reunites Sterling with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who previously worked with him during their time together at Manchester City. Arteta expressed his admiration for Sterling, recalling their strong relationship and praising his professionalism and influence during their shared tenure.
While the loan deal does not include an option or obligation for Arsenal to make the move permanent, Sterling is expected to bring valuable experience to the squad. Arsenal sporting director Edu acknowledged that Sterling’s signing was unexpected but welcomed the opportunity to add a player of his caliber to the team. “Raheem’s experience in the Premier League and the Champions League, along with his winning mentality, will be a great asset to our squad,” Edu stated.
Sterling’s track record speaks for itself: four Premier League titles, five EFL Cups, and numerous individual honors, including the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 2018/19. He has also been a key figure for England, earning 82 caps and playing a crucial role in their journey to the Euro 2020 final.
Arsenal fans will be eager to see how Sterling integrates into Arteta’s system, hoping that his experience and proven track record will boost the team’s chances in both domestic and European competitions this season. The move is still subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
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