On the final day of the 2024 summer transfer window, Raheem Sterling received a final call from Edu Gaspar - Arsenal's former sporting director. Before that, the former Man City player had heard about potential interest from The Gunners.
Edu and Mikel Arteta have had discussions about Sterling with Arsenal's board. Despite concerns about the cost, the English striker's talent and experience are still highly valued. However, it was only in the final hours that Arsenal and Chelsea officially entered negotiations.
At Chelsea, Sterling’s situation is almost beyond repair. In contrast to his time at Man City, where he was frequently discussed as a possible departure, Sterling has faced a rapid change in the Blues’ plans in the final weeks of the transfer window.
Despite the 29-year-old's impressive performances during Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States, manager Enzo Maresca has announced that Sterling is not part of his plans for the new season.
Raheem Sterling insists he does not want to leave Europe to play in the Saudi Pro League. At 29, he is confident he still has much to contribute. Although Man United have considered a swap deal between Sterling and Jadon Sancho, the striker born in 1994 is concerned about instability at Old Trafford.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are a perfect choice with a unified board, a clear style of play and a united squad. Furthermore, Sterling knows some of the Gunners players well, such as Zinchenko and Jesus from his time at Man City, as well as Saka and Rice from the England team.
Another important factor in Sterling's choice of Arsenal was his relationship with Mikel Arteta. When the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola's assistant, he spent a lot of time working with Sterling, helping him achieve the most prolific scoring period of his career. Chelsea agreed to loan Sterling to Arsenal for a reasonable wage contribution.
Sterling has had a rocky start to the season, playing just 123 minutes in the Premier League. In recent games, partly due to the impact of red cards, Mikel Arteta has had to adjust his lineup, even taking Sterling off on a few occasions to strengthen his defense.
Arteta explained that the decision to take Sterling off the pitch was tactical and not a reflection of his individual ability, showing that the England star is still in Arsenal's plans for this season.
Despite his lack of opportunities, Sterling has remained positive. Faced with the prospect of not playing for Chelsea, moving to Arsenal was a clear step forward. In a pre-signing conversation, Arteta was straightforward with Sterling about the need to work hard to earn his place. The 29-year-old has responded with a determination to give his all and be available when the team needs him.
With his desire to return to the England team, Sterling knows that playing regularly is important. This becomes even more urgent when his position is facing great competition in the "Three Lions" squad.
In an interesting coincidence, Thomas Tuchel, who brought Sterling to Chelsea in 2022, has become the head coach of the England team. The presence of the German coach may bring new hope to Sterling.
For now, Sterling is working hard to prove himself at Arsenal and is ready for any role the team requires. For a player of Sterling's class and experience, waiting patiently for the right moment is not difficult. The English striker understands that the season is long and turning points can still come.
