Raheem Sterling to Arsenal would break golden rule as Mikel Arteta urged against deal
With Raheem Sterling’s Chelsea future now up in the air, the winger could have clubs circling for him before the window shuts, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been encouraged to avoid signing him
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea and FC Internazionale at Stamford Bridge on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
A move for driven-out winger Sterling has been warned against (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
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ByBen Crawford
07:00, 21 Aug 2024Updated12:20, 21 Aug 2024
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Mikel Arteta should not sign Raheem Sterling for Arsenal due to the winger’s age and inconsistencies, says club icon Emmanuel Petit.
England ace Sterling, who turns 30 in December, was widely expected to be a part of Enzo Maresca’s Premier League plans this season, despite missing out on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad. But despite having a full pre-season, he was surprisingly left out of the Blues’ matchday squad for their opening weekend 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City.
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The winger’s representatives released a statement on the back of the snub, claiming that they believed “Raheem would be involved in the weekend’s fixture in some capacity” and they “look forward to gaining clarity on the situation”. The timing of the statement – not long before kick off on Sunday – was widely scrutinised for being disruptive to Chelsea’s preparations.
Given the size of the Blues’ squad, there was bound to be some frustrated figures, given Maresca has too many players at his disposal at present. Sterling could now be one of those moved on before next Friday’s transfer deadline, and among potential suitors, Arsenal’s name has been thrown around as a club that could both afford and may wish to recruit Sterling.
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There is minimal cover on the wing at the Emirates Stadium, meaning he could prove a decent back-up to the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. Yet, Petit has warned that Sterling will no longer improve on his game at 29, and Arteta should stick his golden rule of only buying younger talent.
It has previously been reported that the Arsenal boss abides by a very specific rule of trying not to purchase players over the age of 25. While he has broken said stipulation for some exceptions like Jorginho and Leandro Trossard, who have both shown their worth in north London, Arteta has been warned against breaking it again for Sterling.
“Nope, Arsenal won’t sign Raheem Sterling,” Petit told Android Poker Apps. “Since Sterling left Liverpool, he hasn’t improved a whole lot at Manchester City and Chelsea.
Arteta is familiar with Sterling from his time at City
Arteta is familiar with Sterling from his time at City ( Image: Pool via REUTERS)
“Sterling can have big moments but there is no consistency in his performances. He still needs to improve his final ball and needs to score more, this is the main problem.
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“This is something that Mikel Arteta will not want in his team, he wants young and hungry player, Sterling won’t improve more than another young winger.”
Arteta started his latest title charge off with Martinelli and the ever-present Saka manning the flanks in their 2-0 victory at home to Wolves, while Trossard was brought on with 10 minutes to go.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 9: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is treated for an injury at the end of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Munchen at Emirates Stadium on April 9, 2024 in London, England.(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
22-year-old Saka has few players who can fill in for him ( Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Apart from the Belgian, though, there is very little depth out wide for the Gunners, with wantaway Reiss Nelson the only experienced deputy and Gabriel Jesus perhaps able to fill in unnaturally.
This lack of reinforcements at Arsenal – especially compared to the situation at Chelsea – led to disgruntled Sterling being linked with a move to north London. Maresca dubbed his omission on Sunday a tactical decision, and it remains to be seen whether Sterling will be completely exiled ahead of the window closing, and whether Arteta will surprisingly break his golden rule again.