BREAKING NEWS: Mikel Arteta discloses the single concern he had about bringing Raheem Sterling to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta admitted he had a single concern about signing Raheem Sterling, but within 10 seconds of their first conversation, he knew he had to bring the Chelsea winger to Arsenal.
At 29, Sterling was considered surplus to requirements at Chelsea, with manager Enzo Maresca making it clear he wouldn’t feature in the squad. Faced with the prospect of training with the reserves for the first half of the season, Sterling’s career seemed in limbo until Arsenal and Arteta stepped in at the last minute of the transfer window.
Sterling, who previously thrived during his time at Manchester City when Arteta was Pep Guardiola’s assistant, has proven pedigree, and Arteta believes he still has much to contribute.
Arteta explained, “Obviously, a lot has changed in his personal life since our time together. But from the first call I had with him, within 10 seconds, I knew we had to bring him in because his desire to join was clear.
“My only question was about the stage he’s at in his career. But I knew after that brief conversation—bring him here.”
Arteta continued, “I see his hunger—he’s a player who wants to be on the pitch every minute of every game, and when that doesn’t happen, he’s not satisfied. He loves the game; it’s his passion every day, and I see that commitment.
“The energy and quality he brings to the team are a huge boost. You can sense the positive impact he has on the players the moment he walks in. We are a better team with him, and he will improve us.
“His abilities and drive are his own, but the support of his teammates around him is essential, especially as a forward. He has that intuition, the desire, and the talent, and I am confident he will make a significant impact on the team.”