Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal from Chelsea on Transfer Deadline Day.
Having been linked with countless attackers throughout the summer, Arsenal were able to finally bolster their frontline with the late addition of Raheem Sterling.
Sterling joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal on terms that are hugely favourable to the Gunners. The North London club were aware that the forward was considered surplus to requirements by Chelsea and were able to use the Blues’ desperation to move him on to their advantage.
The 29-year-old winger is a player that Mikel Arteta knows very well. The pair worked together whilst they were both on the payroll at Manchester City, where the Spanish coach served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola, prior to taking the top job at the Emirates Stadium.
Sterling has spoken highly of Arteta in the past, and the 82-cap England international will be hoping that reuniting with the Arsenal boss will help him return to his best having endured two difficult seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Certainly, Arteta backs himself to coax the best out of Sterling in his time at Arsenal.
Arsenal icon Martin Keown and Mikel Arteta discuss Raheem Sterling
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown is aware of Arteta’s pre-existing relationship with Sterling, and the impact that the manager had on the player whilst at Manchester City.
Speaking to the Gunners boss on TNT Sports recently, Keown raised this point: “You’ve talked about this player, how you’ve learned a different way to coach him and support him.
“His numbers by the way, and I don’t think this is a coincidence, when you turned up to coach there [Man City], his numbers went through the roof and he started to perform really, really well.
“When you left, his figures went down… Do you see that in the player is still there to bring out?”
Arteta replied without hesitation: “Yeah, for sure.”
He then explained what will need to happen in order for Sterling to truly flourish in North London.
“Obviously, he’s got these numbers because he was playing under a great manager, with great players around him that generate so much for him, and if you do that he’s going to score the goals and create so many issues for the opponents, and that’s what we have to do as a team.”
What role will Raheem Sterling play for Arsenal?
Sterling is unlikely to come in as an immediate starter for the Gunners, as Bukayo Saka is a fixture on the right flank and Leandro Trossard has earned his place on the left with his impressive recent form.
However, the former Manchester City ace can provide cover on either wing and will get plenty of game time as a rotation option in these roles.
Sterling also ought to get goals in this Arsenal team. He is excellent at exploiting space in the penalty area and timing his runs to arrive in dangers zones at the right time.
In the likes of Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz, the Gunners have players capable of picking Sterling out in these threatening positions.
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