“We had to bring him here” - Mikel Arteta opens up on Arsenal’s deadline-day swoop for Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has doubled down on his and the club's decision to sign Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling in a deadline-day loan deal.
With the 29-year-old unlikely to be a part of Blues boss Enzo Maresca's plans, Arteta mentioned it was an easy decision to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via football.london) ahead of the much-anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, Arteta was asked a plethora of questions. Undoubtedly, one was about former Chelsea man Raheem Sterling, who the Spaniard previously worked with at Manchester City between 2016-19 as Pep Guardiola's assistant.
Showing belief in the decision to bring Sterling on board, Arteta said:
"I knew straight away after 10 seconds that we had to bring him because he really wanted it. After 10 seconds I knew already before the next questions that we had to bring him here."
Raheem Sterling has joined on a one-year loan deal, with the Gunners arguably getting the better deal as Chelsea will continue to pay a large chunk of his wages. He will bring with him invaluable Premier League experience, having made 379 total league appearances for Liverpool, City, and then the Blues, scoring 123 goals and providing 62 assists.
With his ability to play on either wing, Sterling could either become a starter or can also be a valuable asset off the bench as Arsenal look to mount another title charge. Gooners could potentially see him make his debut on Sunday (September 15) against Tottenham.
Journalist reveals figures behind Raheem Sterling's loan from Chelsea to Arsenal
The Gunners moved swiftly to secure Sterling on a one-year loan deal on the Premier League's deadline day on August 30. Following the move, ESPN UK's James Olley revealed the figures behind the deal speaking on a podcast.
Initially speaking about Sterling falling out of favor under new Blues manager Enzo Maresca, Olley said:
"This was a decision taken during pre-season and Raheem Sterling played in all six games, but started only two of those. I think it became quite clear early on that Maresca just didn't fancy him."
He then mentioned the Blues' reason for making Sterling available was partly due to his hefty wages, adding:
"It's easy to think his wage would have been a factor that would have carried against him when they were weighing up whether to make him part of the first team squad."
Olley concluded by revealing the bizarre situation the two London clubs are in, saying:
"Deadline day when he moved to Arsenal, that wasn't the first time they were offered him. Chelsea dropped their demands for the player after realizing they need to get him off the books. So we are in this quite bizarre position where Chelsea are actually paying Arsenal around £10 million to play Sterling."
Having made 81 appearances with 19 goals and 12 assists across competitions for the Blues, the Englishman will aim to return to his best with the Gunners.