“I’d prefer he doesn’t perform on Sunday” - Pep Guardiola offers opinion on Raheem Sterling joining Arsenal
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is hoping that his former player Raheem Sterling doesn’t find his footing when City host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, September 22.
The Spaniard manager acknowledged the impact of the England international when he was still at the Etihad. He added that he doesn’t want him to be at his best when they play Mikel Arteta’s side in their fifth Premier League fixture of the 2024-25 campaign.
Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal on a season-long loan on this summer transfer window's Deadline Day from Chelsea after falling out of favor with manager Enzo Maresca. He made his debut with the Gunners as a substitute in the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, which they won 1-0. With some key players ruled out for the Gunners in their clash with City, chances are that Sterling will get some minutes against his former side.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, doesn’t want the 29-year-old to find his groove against them in the clash. When quizzed on what the England international will bring to Arsenal, he said (via HITC):
“I heard Mikel said he was surprised to hire him. I wish him all the best. All the players that behave unbelievably with this club, that help us to be who we are, (to get) where we are…
“He has been so important. I wish him all the best. I would prefer he doesn’t perform on Sunday, but I wish him all the best.”
Raheem Sterling donned the Manchester City colors from 2015 to 2022 and won a plethora of trophies during his time at the club. In his seven years at City, he scored 131 goals and provided 73 assists in 339 games across competitions.
Mark Lawrenson says Raheem Sterling will not get enough playing time at Arsenal
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has poured cold water on Raheem Sterling’s future ambitions at Arsenal. The former footballer who turned pundit says the English winger is unlikely to get enough playing time at the Emirates. He doesn’t see the winger breaking into Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup.
He said to Paddy Power (via Mirror):
“At Arsenal, I think Raheem Sterling will solely be used for squad depth, I don’t see him breaking into the starting team. I’d imagine that the manager will have already told him that he’ll be a 25-minute man each week and that will be it, unless he does well when he gets a chance.
“I’ve been quite impressed with Arsenal in recent years and they know that the game against Manchester City this weekend is a massive game for them and I have a feeling that they will go to the Etihad and take home all three points.”
Whether his prognostication will come true or not remains to be seen. Having played for Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea, Raheem Sterling takes his wealth of Premier League experience to the Emirates.