What Mikel Arteta personally did to sign Raheem Sterling revealed as Arsenal transfer outcome made more puzzling

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Signing Raheem Sterling on deadline day was one of the most puzzling transfers of Mikel Arteta’s reign at Arsenal.

The Englishman arrived in N5 after learning his fate at Chelsea under Enzo Marescsa.

Maresca didn’t see an opening for Sterling at Stamford Bridge, paving the way for Arsenal to make a late move to sign the 30-year-old on a season-long loan.

With nine games of the Premier League season to go, Sterling’s impact at Arsenal has been non-existent, making the late summer scramble all the more confusing. 

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals the one thing he knew about Raheem Sterling’s struggling Arsenal career from ‘day one’

Mikel Arteta’s role in signing Raheem Sterling revealed 

Arteta worked with Sterling at Manchester City so was well aware of the threat that the winger could pose when at his best.

The brutal reality is that the former England international hasn’t been close to his best for some time, explaining his omission from Maresca’s plans at Chelsea.

Though Maresca didn’t see a future for Sterling in West London, Arsenal still held out hope for the forward, which proved to be a mistake.

Former sporting director Edu Gaspar spoke highly of Sterling when he signed but, it wasn’t the Brazilian who actually fuelled the deadline-day transfer.

The Athletic looked at the Englishman’s time at Arsenal and revealed Arteta’s involvement in bringing the Chelsea loanee to the Emirates. 

The report uncovered what went on behind the scenes on deadline day in 2024, sharing that Arsenal saw Sterling as a ‘low-risk option’.

It was added that Arteta ‘personally pushed’ for Arsenal to sign Sterling in the days leading up to deadline day, despite there being ‘red flags’ due to Chelsea’s desire to oust the four-time Premier League winner.

Sterling’s loan has been a nightmare for Arsenal 

What is puzzling about the transfer scenario is that months down the line, it’s become clear that Arteta doesn’t trust Sterling.

The 30-year-old has featured 12 times in the Premier League this season in red and white and remarkably, is yet to have a shot on target in the competition. 

Coming from a player who has 123 Premier League goals to his name, Sterling’s decline has been staggering, which only reflects badly on Arteta.

The Arsenal manager ignored warnings regarding Sterling’s suitability in his squad, using a crucial Premier League loan space and being responsible for an all-round terrible transfer.