Arsenal summer arrival dubbed worst signing of the season so far as damning verdict shared

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Arsenal made four additions to their first team squad in the recent summer transfer window. 

Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori both arrived at the Emirates Stadium on a permanent basis, and have each struggled with injuries in the early stages of this campaign. 

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta also brought two players in on loan, with Neto coming in to offer back up for first choice goalkeeper David Raya, and Raheem Sterling joining from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

None of these four signings have been able to have a huge impact as of yet, for various reasons, but one has now been called out for representing particularly bad business.

• READ MORE: Arsenal 24/25 confirmed signings, transfers in and out, loan exits and releases

Raheem Sterling called an Arsenal flop

As far as former Liverpool star Steve Nicol is concerned, Arsenal’s signing of Sterling was the worst business conducted by any Premier League club in the most recent summer window. 

Defending this stance on ESPN, he said: “What has he done? He’s done zero. At the very least, come on and give Martinelli, and Saka on the other side, a break. Push the rest of the players to be better. 

“All the reasons that he was brought, use your experience, push the other two to be better, give them competition. Then, when you do get a chance, make it count. He’s done nothing.”

It is certainly fair to say that Sterling has largely failed to impress in his time in North London so far.

Did Mikel Arteta make a mistake in signing Sterling?

Arsenal got a good financial deal for Sterling, as Chelsea are still paying the majority of the winger’s wages, and the Gunners avoided having to shell out a loan fee too. On that basis, the decision to bring the 29-year-old to the club has not proven itself to be particularly damaging. 

However, Arteta is known to admire Sterling’s talent, having worked with the England international when they were both at Manchester City. The attacker has failed to deliver on that promise for Arsenal, though.

Particularly in recent weeks, the Chelsea loanee has been afforded very limited minutes. It is clear that Arteta lacks faith Sterling to deliver for Arsenal, which given the player’s vast experience, and history of having won four Premier League titles, is a damning indictment. 

Sterling now needs to step up after Leandro Trossard’s injury. Arsenal need him to deliver, but he will have to vastly improve his form if he is to justify his signing.