Ian Wright left with egg on his face by Raheem Sterling after Arsenal transfer comments, they aged terribly

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Things just weren’t meant to be for Raheem Sterling at Arsenal, but the outcome of his loan disaster wasn’t entirely predicted. 

Signed on deadline day of the 2024 summer transfer window in a last-gasp hope to sign a forward, fans had a feeling that Sterling might not provide the thrilling impact he used to.

Still, what Arsenal were getting was a winger with almost 200 Premier League goal contributions to his name, so in that respect, what could go wrong?

The answer was, unfortunately, everything, as Mikel Arteta appeared not to trust Sterling, with the 30-year-old playing only 496 minutes in the Premier League over the 2024/25 campaign.

• READ MORE: Raheem Sterling’s eight-word message to Arsenal fans following Emirates Stadium departure

Ian Wright was completely wrong about Raheem Sterling

Sterling’s loan was a disaster, and to the player’s dismay, it wasn’t entirely his fault.

Arteta gave the winger a limited window to impress, but in the Arsenal manager’s defence, the Chelsea loanee left a lot to be desired when he was in action.

For many, the excitement about the new transfer died down very quickly, but that didn’t abolish the statements made at the point of the Englishman’s arrival in N5.

One figure who has been left red-faced by their thoughts on Sterling’s move is Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who said the signing couldn’t ‘get any better’.

“You think to yourself that is a magnificent deal for us, a really good signing for us, at 29, Chelsea are paying the majority, it’s almost like it can’t get any better.

“The only way it’s gonna get any better is when he scores the winner against Tottenham. That’s when you think this is it, it’s meant to be. You know when you see a player in your shirt… he suits our shirt, 100 per cent.”

Wright’s comments on the Wrighty’s House podcast at the time regrettably aged like milk, as hindsight revealed that the deal, in fact, couldn’t have gone any worse.

Back to square one for Sterling

Sterling left Arsenal a gift upon leaving, as his son signed a contract at Hale End to become part of the Gunners’ next generation.

Such will keep the former England international associated with the club longer than he perhaps expected.

Sterling is training privately while Chelsea are at the Club World Cup, but it’s almost certain that the message from Enzo Maresca on his return will be very much the same.

Before the 30-year-old’s move to Arsenal, Maresca axed him from his plans, denying that he was acting in a ‘brutal’ manner by doing so.

“Brutal? I don’t think so. I try to be honest. I can repeat again if it’s not clear: I spoke with Raheem before the City game. I said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us, and this is the reason why he is out of the squad.”

For Sterling, it’s back to square one on his return to West London, with a big decision to make regarding his next steps.