Mikel Arteta revealed that he still has a strong admiration for wantaway Chelsea striker Raheem Sterling.
The Arsenal boss appears to have offered his former player a chance to reunite with the likes of Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus at Emirates.
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On Sterling and his future, Arteta said he had a strong relationship with the English forward and that he learned a lot about man management and individual differences from him.
If we are to read into the former Manchester assistant coach’s words, Arteta is of the inkling that Sterling is still a quality player who can strengthen any side he joins.
“My time with Raheem was exceptional. We built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at the time we were together. He taught me a lot as well, about individuals, how players think, and how we support them. He is someone I have really strong feelings about.” Mikel Arteta said in his pre-match presser.
Sterling, who is heading down the same path Romelu Lukaku did at Stamford Bridge, was outcast from the Blues squad.
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Enzo Maresca opted to exclude Raheem Sterling from the match against his former team Manchester City.
Maresca went as far as to publicly admit that he prefers a ‘different kind of winger’, revealing that Sterling was training away from the Chelsea first team — and we all know about that Jadon Sancho path.
The Spaniard, who worked with Sterling at Man City when he was the assistant boss there, said on the transfer front for Arsenal could spring up any surprise in the last minute.
“You have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come. We will be ready,” Arteta said ahead of the August 30 transfer deadline.
With Joao Felix back in Chelsea and Stamford Bridge open to Sterling’s sale, even giving his No. 7 shirt to summer signing Pedro Neto, there is a high likelihood the winger might want to reunite with a gaffer who understands him.
Furthermore, Sterling has expressed his intent to stay in London, leaving only a select few teams he can join.
Arsenal and Crystal Palace emerge as prime transfer targets who may be interested and can fit Sterling’s standards and style of play.
Sterling signed for Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022 for £50m (Ksh7.2b).
If Sterling does end up at Arsenal, don’t be surprised if he stuns us with goals and assists. Arteta knows this lad inside and out, how he ticks, and how to restore him to prime form.
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