Forget Raheem Sterling – Arsenal actually did get summer transfer decision right at Chelsea’s expense

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Arsenal and Chelsea have become intertwined through transfers over the years, with the summer of 2024 being no different.

From Ashley Cole to Jorginho, Arsenal and Chelsea’s rivalry has disappeared when it comes to exchanging players in the transfer window. 

Unfortunately, such transactions don’t always work in the Gunners’ favour, as seen through the arrivals of Petr Cech, Willian and David Luiz.

Arsenal clearly hadn’t learned from their mistakes as Mikel Arteta and Edu opted to recruit Raheem Sterling on deadline day but, the North Londoners did get the upper hand on one transfer. 

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Arsenal were interested in Pedro Neto before Chelsea transfer

Chelsea have beaten Arsenal to multiple signings in the past, including the summer capture of Pedro Neto from Wolves.

Arsenal were interested in Neto before the winger completed his move to Chelsea and time has revealed that the Gunners dodged a bullet.

It was understood that Arsenal were wary of Neto’s injury record, which didn’t seem to phase the Blues, who paid £51m for the Portugal international.

Half-way through the season and it’s become clear that Chelsea haven’t got what they had hoped from Neto, who despite being a big fish at Wolves, hasn’t mirrored his impact in West London.

Before his transfer from Molineux, questions were asked of the forward’s contribution as Neto had scored just 11 Premier League goals in five years, with his form not getting any brighter at Chelsea.

Since signing for over the £50m mark, the 24-year-old has scored twice in the Premier League.

Typically, one of Neto’s goals came against Arsenal but his input in front of goal since has been rather sparse.

Raheem Sterling loan was a failure but avoiding Neto was crucial 

Arsenal will be thankful that they missed out on Neto with the help of hindsight but, that doesn’t spare Arteta’s blushes.

Signing Sterling on deadline day was a disaster, as the 30-year-old has had limited impact himself this season, being a player that despite having great experience, is vastly unreliable. 

Such was seen against Leicester City, as Sterling was one of Arsenal’s worst performers, discarding the need to step up amid an influx of attacking injuries. 

That being said, the Gunners can send the Englishman back to Chelsea in the summer, whereas the Blues will have Neto on their books for the foreseeable, in what were two dreadful moves for the London rivals.