Raheem Sterling is extremely delighted to join Arsenal on deadline day and is ‘buzzing’ ahead of the next phase at the club.
According to Fabrizio Romano on Caught Offside, Raheem Sterling is ‘buzzing’ at the opportunity to join Arsenal. The 29-year-old Chelsea outcast completed a swift move to the Blues’ London rivals in a deal that appears to have gone in Arsenal’s favour in more ways than one.
Sterling ‘Buzzing’ at Arsenal opportunity
Arsenal were keen to sign a wide forward in the summer, but could not conjure up a proper list of targets that favour their system and style. As the window entered into its closing stages, an opportunity to sign Raheem Sterling presented itself, and the Gunners took full advantage but on their terms.
Arsenal opened late talks to sign the 29-year-old Chelsea outcast, who was already told that he would play no part in their first-team plans going forwards. Hence, a player of his quality needed to play, although the Gunners did not rush into the deal despite the lack of time on their hands.
Sterling took a pay cut to join Arsenal, as the Gunners are paying less than 50% of his salary, with Chelsea covering the rest and no loan fee for the signing. Financially, this is a fantastic deal for the north Londoners, given they had plenty of room in their wage bill, having offloaded high-earners Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson on deadline day.
From a sporting point of view, Sterling is a player who will suit Arteta’s system, and he’s also someone the manager knows well from their time together at Manchester City. There’s hope that Arteta will get the best out of the 29-year-old Chelsea outcast, although the big part is that the Gunners are not in a position where they are compelled to keep the winger beyond his loan spell at the Emirates.
Fabrizio Romano insisted that Sterling was ‘buzzing’ at the opportunity to play for the Gunners. He said, “He’s very happy to join Arsenal. Happy about the project, the manager, staying in London as he didn’t want to move to Middle East or this kind of solutions. So, I’m told he’s buzzing for this opportunity to join Arsenal.”
Sterling suits the Arsenal way
Arsenal expert Charles Watts praised the signing for the many things the winger brings to this team. Sterling can help the team p[push forwards in transition and counterattacking moments, as his pace and trickery will be critical to unlock defences.
Edu Gaspar admitted the club had no plans to sign Sterling early in the summer but took the opportunity as it came by. The fact that the 29-year-old suits their system, he was something they could not miss at that stage of the window, when they were short in numbers in the final third, as the winger will form part of Arteta’s trusted circle in no time and will be a helpful addition in the context of their season.
