Arsenal completed the signing of Raheem Sterling on a season-long loan from Chelsea, just hours before the transfer window closed. The move comes as a major boost for the Gunners, who were eager to strengthen their attacking options. Fans were kept on edge throughout the day, anxiously awaiting confirmation of a new addition to the squad.
Despite the tense negotiations, Arsenal and Chelsea reached an agreement in the late hours, bringing the experienced English winger to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is undoubtedly pleased with the acquisition of a player of Sterling’s calibre, but it raises questions about how former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger might view the move.
Sterling has been a prominent figure in the Premier League for over a decade, making his debut as a teenager with Liverpool. His career took off notably at Manchester City, where he played a crucial role in securing four Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola.
However, Sterling's relationship with Wenger was not without friction. In November 2017, during a high-stakes clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, Wenger was angered when Sterling won a controversial penalty for City. The penalty, awarded after Arsenal defender Sead Kolašinac was deemed to have pushed Sterling, led to a goal by Sergio Agüero and contributed to City’s 3-1 victory.
At one point, a proposed deal would have seen Sterling move to Arsenal in exchange for Alexis Sánchez. However, the transfer never materialized. Sánchez eventually joined Manchester United in a swap deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Sterling remained at City, adding further accolades to his career.
Now, seven years later, Sterling is finally donning the Arsenal shirt. This significant addition is expected to play a key role as Arsenal aims to compete at the highest level this season.
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