Raheem Sterling sends eight-word message to Arsenal fans following Emirates Stadium departure

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Arsenal have begun their summer squad revamp.

Arsenal’s retained list was announced by the club and the expected names of Jorginho and Kieran Tierney were among those mentioned.

Jorginho’s emotional farewell to fans came as he prepares to join Flamengo for their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.

Tierney will join Celtic this summer after scoring on his final Premier League appearance and another big first-team name in Raheem Sterling has now sent a message to fans after it was confirmed that his loan spell will come to an end.

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Raheem Sterling’s message to Arsenal fans upon departure

Sterling has taken to his Instagram account to send a message to Arsenal fans following the confirmation that he will return to parent club Chelsea.

The England international has struggled at the Emirates Stadium but has thanked the club for their support during his time in North London.

Sterling wrote: “Thank you for making my family feel welcome.”

The ‘family’ part of the message is in reference to Sterling’s son joining Arsenal’s academy and Thiago will be hoping for a better time at the club than his father.

Mikel Arteta had high hopes when Sterling was brought in on deadline day but he has failed to live up to expectations.

What next for Raheem Sterling?

Sterling now returns to parent club Chelsea and the prospect of a future there under Enzo Maresca looks bleak after he was exiled from first-team training last summer.

The 30-year-old will still have hopes of reviving his career and showing that he can offer something at a Premier League level, perhaps another loan move could be on the cards.

However, Sterling may now feel that the time is right to move abroad and enjoy the riches that would come with a move to Saudi Arabia or the MLS.

His professionalism at the Gunners could not be questioned and whilst it didn’t always happen for him on the pitch, Sterling was a great mentor to youngsters such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.