How one transfer gave Arsenal superpower and turbocharged Premier League title bid overnight

Mikel Arteta could not believe his luck when Edu informed him they could sign Raheem Sterling and fit him into their wage bill. Throughout the summer, Arsenal kept an eye on the striker transfer market. 3 Added Minutes reported consistently that the Gunners would do business if the deal was right for a striker, and even though Chelsea publicly dominated the Victor Osimhen transfer links, the Gunners had always requested to be kept informed of every deal.

What they got in the end is a player Mikel Arteta would spend extra time improving—someone the Arsenal manager knows well and someone who would run through a brick wall for him.

On the tactical front, Sterling gets the opportunity to reignite his battle with Bukayo Saka, the man who took his spot in the England squad. This can only bode well for the Gunners, as they now have two top players fighting for minutes and pushing the team to improve. Additionally, Sterling's mobility allows him to play as a false nine, similar to what Havertz has been doing, but with exceptional ability in tight spaces.

There really is everything in this deal for Mikel Arteta. The beauty of Sterling is that he can even play on the left side if Mikel wants to mix things up. He’s the ultimate Arteta player, further enhanced by their strong relationship, which is invaluable in environments like this.

Sterling’s efforts in for the last two seasons at Chelsea, have shown him to be an intriguing player to say the least—he can be frustrating, especially when he has time on the ball, but instinctively, players like him are rare, in terms of being incredibly competitive in a positive way.

He would come through the press box at Stamford Bridge with his family, and even in off-the-record chats, he came across as honest, especially when he didn’t play well. Many top players throw tantrums when they don’t play, but Sterling never dropped his head, even when benched.

Most of the time, he’d be the first to take his seat on the bench, and when called upon, he never complained or caused trouble. Traits like that are priceless for a winning team—top players who prioritize the collective good over personal glory. Arsenal’s dressing room already has several ex-Chelsea players, including Jorginho and Havertz, but Sterling is a different type of character, and remains criminally, almost bafflingly, underrated.

The fact that Arsenal found a deal where Chelsea will pay almost 50% of his wages while he fills multiple roles and strengthens the team significantly compared to last year will surely delight Arteta. Their start to the league season, with two wins from their first two games, is promising, and the arrival of Sterling means they now have not just a goalscorer, but also a proven winner.

His mindset, technical ability, and the circumstances surrounding his Chelsea loan mean he will be motivated to prove a point. What a signing this could prove to be if Sterling turns out to be even half as good as he was at Manchester City.