Arsenal have signed Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea, with the Summer Transfer Window closing today, August 31. This has ended all speculation regarding the future of the 29-year-old winger, who has played Premier League football for the last 13 seasons. He was also linked to Manchester United in a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho.
Having already played for elite English clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea, Sterling will add Arsenal to his enviable CV. The forward is one match short of playing 550 games in his professional career, making him one of England’s more experienced players today. He has also won four Premier League titles with Manchester City.
Sterling might find it difficult to make it to the starting XI
Sterling has had an average time with Chelsea, scoring 19 goals in 81 matches for the Blues. Many people are now wondering if he is already starting to decline. If that’s the case, it will be hard for him to make it into the starting eleven for the Gunners.
Arsenal already have Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard as the two options to play on the left flank. Hence, Sterling has a realistic chance of playing on the right flank as a backup for Bukayo Saka. The good thing for Sterling is that he is comfortable playing on either flank.
However, if each of Saka, Martinelli and Trossard remains fit, Sterling should be seen warming the bench mostly. At this career stage, Sterling should still be willing to play more often than not. Hence, the decision to join Arsenal might come back to haunt him. However, if Kai Havertz underperforms as the false nine and Trossard takes his place up front, the team could use the ex-Chelsea forward as a backup to Martinelli.
However, as Mikel Arteta’s team plays its football primarily with short passes, Sterling should enjoy playing in their team. He usually fits in nicely with the centre-forward and the No. 10, and that ability might come in handy for the Gunners.
If Arsenal are to keep up the stiff fight against Manchester City, as they have done for the last couple of seasons, they might need the services of the former City player.
Moreover, if Sterling can perform even close to his best, it will bolster the Gunners’ chances of winning their first Premier League title in two decades. Whether the Gunners can make the most of that signing remains to be seen.