Arsenal star Raheem Sterling just did something no player in Champions League history has ever managed

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Arsenal summer signing Raheem Sterling is yet to start for his new club, but he has already made history on two separate occasions.

Sterling became the first Arsenal player to make their debut in the North London derby in 27 years as he came off the bench at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The winger was again named on the bench for Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Atalanta, with Mikel Arteta keeping faith in Gabriel Martinelli, but he came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, with the score at 0-0.

The 29-year-old arrived at Arsenal with plenty of experience in the Champions League, and his appearance against Atalanta has meant that he has achieved something no one else in the history of the competition has managed.

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Raheem Sterling makes Champions League history after Arsenal substitution at Atalanta

Sterling’s appearance against Atalanta means that he is the first player in the history of the Champions League to feature in the competition for four different English clubs: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The Englishman was one of five players who have appeared for three Premier League clubs in the competition, alongside three ex-Arsenal players.

David Batty played in the Champions League with Leeds, Blackburn and Newcastle, whilst Yossi Benayoun featured for Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

William Gallas appeared for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, whilst Invincible Kolo Toure managed the feat with Manchester City and Liverpool as well as the Gunners.

Raheem Sterling’s Champions League record

Sterling is vastly experienced in the Champions League, having made 82 appearances in the competition over the years.

The attacker has scored 27 goals in the competition and has also provided 17 assists. Eight of these goals have come in knockout games, and Sterling reached the final with Man City in 2021.

The Arsenal loanee scored a brace against Tottenham in the second leg of the 2019 quarter-finals, and thought he netted his hattrick to send his side through in injury time. However, VAR disallowed the goal, and Arsenal’s bitter rivals progressed.

If Arsenal do make it to the latter rounds of the competition this season, Sterling could come in particularly useful given his European pedigree, and he will hope to add to his goal tally.