Arsenal could’ve actually signed ‘one of the best players in Europe’ instead of Raheem Sterling

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Raheem Sterling wasn’t Arsenal’s only option on transfer deadline day.

The Gunners had been on the lookout for a new attacker all summer, but Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar didn’t bring anyone in until the final day of the window.

Sterling became the chosen one in the end, and Arsenal sealed a season-long loan deal agreement to sign him from Chelsea.

However, the Gunners did have an alternate option in mind at the start of deadline day, but they decided against making him a move for him.

Arsenal could’ve signed Kingsley Coman instead of Raheem Sterling on deadline day

Arsenal would’ve been really short of options if they had ended the window without any new attacking reinforcements.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left work with Reiss Nelson as the backup, but Bukayo Saka has no real cover on his side of the pitch.

Yes, all three of Martinelli, Trossard and Nelson can play on the right if required, but none of them are really comfortable there.

That’s why Arsenal needed a new winger who is capable of playing on either wing without any trouble, and the Standard claim that they had two options on deadline day.

The first was Sterling, who they ended up signing, but the report reveals that Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman was offered to Arsenal too.

However, late on Friday afternoon, Arsenal decided to snub Coman and went after Sterling instead.

READ MORE: Arsenal were offered another winger along with Kingsley Coman and Raheem Sterling on deadline day

Why Sterling made more sense for Arsenal than Coman

Coman is a terrific attacker. Julian Nagelsmann once described him as ‘one of the best players in Europe’ on the flanks (Kicker), and we’re sure he would’ve made Arsenal’s attack better.

However, we think Sterling made more sense than Coman for Arsenal.

Firstly, the former Manchester City star knows the Premier League really well having played here all his career. Coman has zero experience in the English top flight.

Then, Coman’s injury history made him a very worrying option. Sterling has proved to be much more reliable on that front.

Finally, Edu managed to negotiate a stunning fee to sign Sterling. Arsenal aren’t paying a penny in loan fees and are covering less than a third of his wages. Coman would’ve cost a lot more.