Friday, December 13, 2024

Confirmed: Arsenal sign Raheem Sterling on loan

Arsenal have pulled off an unexpected late deal on transfer deadline day securing the signing of Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling on a season-long loan.

There’s no option or obligation to buy the player next summer and even though Sterling has taken a wage cut to join Arsenal, the Blues are still subsidising half his earnings.

The England international, 29, arrives at the Emirates having been told he was surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge two years after joining from Manchester City for £50 million.

Following the sale of Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace, he’ll be another option in attack providing depth on both flanks. Sterling has played the majority of his football on the left wing but has regularly been deployed on the right during stints at Liverpool and Manchester City. He worked with Mikel Arteta at the latter and the manager admitted recently that he still has strong feelings for the player.

While his star may have waned since moving to Chelsea, evidenced by the fact he missed out on Euro 2024 selection for England, there’s no doubt that on his day, Sterling is a phenomenal player.

The hope is that Arteta can tap into that in the same way he has with Kai Havertz. The alternative, a Willian-esque scenario, doesn’t bear thinking about.

There will certainly be plenty of familiar faces in the Arsenal dressing room. In addition to his England colleagues, Sterling has played with the aforementioned Havertz, as well as Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Sterling will wear the number 10 shirt at Arsenal and if all goes well, he’ll be available to make his debut at Sp*rs after the Interlull.

Update: Squad number not yet confirmed.

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Dr. Gooner

When Todd Boehly heard Arsenal were closing in on the deadline day signing of exciting attacker Raheem Sterling, he called a meeting to ask if they could hijack the deal

Mayor McCheese

Lol. I enjoyed that.

Matt

This is too good

Dr. Gooner

Can’t you just see it?

“We’ve done it before! Don’t give me excuses.”
“But sir…”
“What do you need to get it done? Money? Grease his agent? Send his mum flowers? Fly in Tom Brady? I have his number you know. Tom’s. I can call him right now.”
“SIR….”
“What? WHAT?”
“Ra-heem Ster-ling. Doesn’t that ring any bells?”
“Sounds like Arsenal want him so he must be good. GET IT DONE OR GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!”

El Mintero

My sides are actually splitting

portugunner

between havertz and willian?

Only one Dennis Bergkamp

Absolutely the best, most hilarious yet scarily accurate thing I’ve read all transfer window!! Can’t stop laughing.

Teryima Adi

😀😀😀

Bobbert

This is every other comment on any transfer hys on the bbc.

Dr. Gooner

I don’t go there but not surprised, the joke kind of writes itself doesn’t it?

I miss santi cazorla

It’s like swapping twingo for ferrari.

Pat Rice and Beans

You ain’t Shakira bro

Arsenio

Cool. Let’s hope this goes well!

Johnny 4 Hats

Yeah. I can get on board. I’m scratching my head a bit as it felt like we had the resources and the time to go out and get an attacker on a permanent. I’m still unsure quite what we were doing and what the plan was. But if Nico Williams is available in 12 months or the club get an extra year to look at Gyokeres or Isak decides he wants to move next summer, it’s a good enough sticking plaster. I also really like players with a point to prove. And Sterling is going to feel really pissed off… Read more »

Medium Mozart

Yeah, agree with all this. The fact Chelsea are paying half his wages makes the deal even sweeter.

On the face of it, Arsenal have flexed their muscles and, from a position of power, secured Sterling on our terms.

Whilst we all wanted a Nico Williams/Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (yes, I did have to Google the spelling!) signing, Sterling is certainly an interesting one.

With the money brought in through the sales we’ve made, you’d imagine would put us in a good position to further strengthen the attack in January/next summer. Edu and co. have had a good window!

Johnny 4 Hats

Yeah, I just saw that re the wages. That’s fucking hilarious. Fantastic deal.

So basically we’ve swapped Reiss Nelson for Raheem and not had to pay a penny more. It’s a pretty objective statement to say that Sterling is better than Nelson. And I think Arteta will trust him so much more.

And our balance sheet must be looking seriously healthy. I pray that Pep doesn’t renew and we go big next summer and just dominate that power vacuum.

If we do, we could be the driving force in English football for the foreseeable future.

Alex

He’s also scored about 130 goals in 380 games. Good returns, not past it, low risk (loan). If we are in that dreaded 1-1 after 70 minutes situation and the bench potentially has Jesus, Trossard or Martinelli and Sterling on it, I feel like we have options

Plumber

Gross. But good luck to him I suppose

djourou's nutmeg

experienced, homegrown, used to pressing high, knows the manager and the players, plays anywhere in the front 4 and costed literally nothing. im still wondering why on earth haven’t we bought a proper wide forward in 7 years (pepe and willian don’t count), but for today lets just call it a win. let’s go raheem! coyg

Hey Zeus

Trossard?

H2k

Mikel Arteta, I hope you can work your magic like you did with him at City!

Mkh

I said a few days ago that I can’t believe MA allowing Eddie and Reiss leave without adding anyone up front. Noting that we have lost ESR as well, this is the least to have cover in attack. I also hope it goes well for Raheem, though, we are still short up front. I mean, in a normal winning day everything is fine. But when you have 20 minutes to change a game, there should be a couple of options on the bench.

Dr. Gooner

If only we had an option like that on the bench against Aston Villa

Fabregasted

We potentially have Sterling, Martinelli/Trossard and Jesus able to come off the bench…

Kris

Raheem had more goal contributions last season than Eddie, ESR and Reiss combined. We’ve received fantastic fees for 2 of the 3 and Chelsea are subsidising Raheem to play for us. Personally, I think that’s mind blowingly good business, not least because long term we can spend our money as we see fit, whether that’s on Sterling or someone else.

Mkh

Well, I did not say Raheem is not a good addition or anything like that. I said more options will make us more unpredictable.
Having Jesus, Trossard/Martinelli, and Raheem on bench is a good situation. Once you have one injury, it starts to look thin. When you have a pack of games in more than two competitions, it looks even thinner. We lost the league last season for one game, and it’s worth to pay a player 50 million to sunbath the whole season but can score in that single game.

Alex

Yeah but you can also look at it and say we lost the league by 1 goal. Because one goal could have made the City draw a win. And I’ll bet my house Raheem will score a goal which changes a result.

Cruize

Wasn’t he so good at Liverpool before joining them city?

Mayor McCheese

Love this.

yes

Floor-raiser.

Daveo

This is it here! We’re just so much safer having Sterling backup the wings (even 9) and especially Saka on the right. He’s basically never had a capable backup. Honestly, I think this pushes Saka over the top to take him into the final tier of being truly elite, would class. We have an option to rest Saka without a serious drop in quality. This also makes the Merino injury less agonizing…
Great transfer window, not a smooth one, but I’m a way, against all the difficulties, it makes its success even better. Everything we needed was done, with quality

El Mintero

Shit transfer window and you know it.

Muggers

Shit window – eh?

Henkamp

Go and post this on Twitter. That’s where your horde are gathered spewing their bile with appalling ignorance. You will get a better reaction there, old friend.

Daveo

Minty, minty, minty… What’s going on mate? Need a hug, virtual hug? Consider it sent 🫂

Sulla

I think this will make the man.

Redbaron

Astute signing. His chemistry with Arteta means it is more likely he will thrive like Kai rather than fade like Willian.

Moore

(And the manager admitted recently that he still has strong feelings for the player.)….

Joker

I kind of can’t believe we’ve signed Raheem Sterling. It feels a bit surreal.

Bobbert

If it were 5 or 6 seasons ago maybe

guyincognito

Great bit of business. Chelsea paying half his wages is just spectacular.

Even if has a few miles in his legs, he’s a smart player with a point to prove and I’m sure he’ll make an impact

Dr. Gooner

All jokes aside, this is still a top player, much more ready to make a real impact than many other players signed for lots of money in his position this summer. Will need a little Havertz-ian rehabilitation of his confidence and some tinkering to find his ideal role but… check out the numbers. This is while he was at Chelsea, mind. This guy gets you up the pitch (9 progressive carries per 90, 94th %tile; 10.4 deep touches, 98th%tile) and then offers a goal threat with his little darting runs and quick layoffs (96th%tile for goal probability added, 90th%tile for… Read more »

Ebo

He is at the age where most players of his type (quick diminutive wingers/attackers) tend to start losing a bit of the burst that makes them really special. But many of them, especially the more technical ones like Raheem (not you Theo Walcott) still find ways to be effective even when that happens. Not sure if he’ll actually compete with any of our first choice attackers but he’ll definitely be someone I trust more than Nelson or Vieira to make the right decisions at the end of the game to hold onto a result, or to make something happen off… Read more »

Standard Özil Enjoyer

Also, for those wondering about Sterling’s career record when not playing LW, his overall numbers are pretty good at RW and CF/ST.  According to transfermarkt, Sterling has 172 games at RW (12,726 minutes) with 51G and 49A (that’s a goal or assist roughly every 127 minutes/1.4 games). At CF/ST, he has 62 games (4,746 minutes) with 25G and 10A (a goal or assist roughly every 135 minutes/1.5 games). Actually, over the last two seasons, Sterling has played 1,184 minutes at RW (roughly 13 full games, with 3G + 4A, or a goal involvement every 169 minutes), as well as 1,049 minutes… Read more »

Tobi6footplus

Great write up. I didn’t realise his numbers were that impressive. So I guess we can say he’s had a 2 year break (i.e spending more time on the bench) only to reignite his career at the Arsenal and remind everyone what he’s about. I sincerely don’t understand what folks on twitter are crying about regarding this deal; considering the circumstances, it’s an absolute no-brainer. My only sentimental objection was that he played for our current major rival. If you want to objectively judge the quality of a particular transfer just listen to what your smart rival fans are saying… Read more »

Daveo

Great analysis mate!

swongken

no transfer fee, chelsea covering half his reduced wages – for raheem sterling? that’s mad. brilliant cover across the front, championship experience with a serious point to prove. amazing loan signing.

Daveo

Nothing quite like signing a quality player in a position of need, while fucking over the blue scum at the same time. And then they go and sign Sancho to make sure they’re in exactly the same position of being overloaded… At least 10 forwards… They’re fucking morons.

El Mintero

Remind me, how did we fuck them over again?

Goonermaybaj

Take a chill pill, will you. Must you see a cloud in every silver lining?

The Beast

By gaining the services of one of their best, most experienced attackers for nothing and having them pay half his wages to give us more strength in depth up front for a season.

Football’s subjective & all but where’s the downside?

El Mintero

One of their best?!

Who cares?

THEY ARE PAYING FOR ONE OF THEIR PLAYERS TO PLAY FOR US. Jesus.

brad

I think I once wondered about who was going to be the next Chelsea player Mikel Arteta would make awesome again. This is at least an order of magnitude greater.

Leemillion

Called it on the Fabio Viera article. Seemed obvious. Arteta trusts him and I’d much rather be bringing Sterling on than any of the 3 that have departed over the last few days. Good stuff.

Mayor McCheese

That’s just it. Is he better than Nketiah and Nelson? Yes and yes. Our squad just got better.

Bergkampfwagen

I’m actually really happy about this, we needed another body in attack, and Raheem is a top shelf, Prem-proven attacker who can cover well enough for Saka. Man City and Mikel-trained, he knows our style. It’s a decent fit.

Ebo

The new Yossi Benayoun!!

BsinGooner

Man, Benayoun was so good and committed for a loan player!

Merlin’s Panini

This could be a brilliant deal. That there’s no loan fee, heavily subsidised wages and no obligation to buy is a complete win for us. If it doesn’t work out he hasn’t been an insane waste, if it does then we’re all the better off. With all due respect to them, with the choice of bringing on Eddie or Reiss to change a game versus Sterling… I know who I prefer. Would it not be perfect if he comes on and scores winners at Anfield and the Etihad? He’s not really old and crocked like Willian, knows basically what Arteta… Read more »

George

Not a fan of this at all, but what’s done is done. Reeks desperation to be honest.

Texas Red

It’s a zero risk high reward move. We still need a permanent signing in the front three, but just for this year there is literally NOTHING to complain about here. Except somehow you still are.

Vaibhav Pandey

Bang on mate, there is a saying “trading doesn’t make you wealthy, investment does”. This is exactly trading and has no long term meaning. Elite teams challenging for top prizes don’t do loan in. We should get away from that mentality and be better strategically . The club has lost some of the respect it gained in past few seasons for me.

Leemillion

Okay, feel free to support someone else then 🤷🏻 Absolutely nuts to complain about this. The player you want, we can’t afford, so it was either loan Sterling and send Nelson on loan to hopefully raise his game/fee or keep Nelson and his fee diminishes and Saka plays eleventeen thousand minutes.

Some “fans” are so fickle.

Chris

Leemillion – He can think what he likes. Doesnt have to support someone else just because he disagrees with a transfer.

Vaibhav Pandey

I have been with Arsenal since early Wenger days and I don’t need a validation on my opinions from anyone.

Swerve

We have found the Super Gooner guys, agree or move on.

i imagine you aren’t just like this about football either.

Not sure we need your sort but we all have them.

Baz

Not every transfer has to have long term meaning. Not a hard concept to understand. Strategically we have been brilliant over the last few years. You have to think short and long term, Sterling is better than any of the players we have let go and comes at literally zero risk.

Chris

Vaibhav, one trades to have the tools to make their investments feasible. We have Sterling for a year at 29yo, and invest next summer. Our investments in the squad get the benefit of training with a player thats done it all. Sounds astute to me.

Mr Dob Bobalina

J.o.s.e.l.u

Man Manny

Real Madrid still do loan in; is there a club more elite than they are?

Jake

@vaibhavpanday

So Real Madrid got Joselu on loan, won the champions league. Bayern Munich got Coutinho on loan, won the champions league. I’m sure there are other examples…

Muggers

Sure Edu will read this and be really upset. Relax.

StuArse

But also if you have a set amount of capitol you can’t invest more than you have. Instead you adjust your portfolio to get the most out of it. That’s Arsenal this summer, all the investments have been done over the last few years and look at the progress the team and club have made. Investment is long term.

Who cares?

we loaned Odegard.

PeteyB

Seems smart enough to me. If they have identified Williams (or another) as their preference, but he isn’t available until next summer, a loan for an experienced player who knows the league, knows Arteta, and probably a desire to prove doubters wrong seems perfect to me.

Chris

Disagree. But its all opinion, you may be right. Hopefully you`re wrong!

Basil

Brilliant signing, covers all three forward positions, will score goals. He’s a monster on his day. It seriously can’t believe all the hate, and that some folks still think they know better than mikel and edu despite being constantly proved wrong. Maybe that’s why all the hate? They hate being proved wrong and are now actively hoping for failure to feel vindicated.

RRR

not always been a fan of Sterling but he’s definitely an upgrade on Nelson and adds an experienced player as cover for Saka all for no fee, no obligation and half his wages being covered all the while we can keep our financial powder dry for main target (maybe Williams?) next summer

All in all you can’t complain about that bit of business. Chapeau Edu

78/79/80

I think this is genius business.
Loan means he has to prove himself. If he wants a good deal next summer.
When Sancho plays for Chelsea against Utd he’ll be motivated. When Sterling plays against anyone he’ll be motivated to beat city. To the league.
I wasn’t that keen whenit was first mentioned a couple of months back. But. As it’s gone on it makes more and more sense.
I’m going to the emirates tmrw. First time in 13 years. Buzzing.

Carlos

Ah wonderful!! It’s coming up to about 7 years for me..I miss it! Have an awesome time!!!

Hey Zeus

This. Loan means he has to prove himself and we’re probably paying him less than Nelson and Nketiah combined, so we’re not even paying more on wages. No loan fee. He’s a better player than both. How is this possibly bad? Is he a ceiling raiser? No. Is he a floor raiser? Absolutely.

O.G

How can chelsea afford to keep so many players on their books. The ammount of options they have for wingers is crazy. It’s easy for players to get demotivated ones the join chelsea. Good luck Jordan Sancho

Fezec

Why do players keep signing for them too??

We’re worried about keeping both Martinelli and Trossard happy and in form, they haven’t even got room for everyone to sit down in team meetings. Madness.

Matthinc

I guess they’re signing because the wages are insane?

Frankie

It’s amazing how at the beginning of today we were light in attack and the footballing gods were against us and now I’m like bring it on .. Sterling is quality wide man signing .. forget his 2 years at Chelsea where there special skill was destroying players … and let’s see if Arteta can reinstall confidence in the lad and we will see the fire burn again …

beldar77

To me he seems like a 99th percentile flopper. But he is excellent as cover or an occasional start and maybe to mix things up at the end of a game.

If he develops good chemistry with Odegaard he will do well.

thw14

How Mikel (and Pep a little bit, but mostly Mikel) coached Sterling to play on the right – https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/24/raheem-sterling-manchester-city-pep-guardiola-romario-book-lu-martin-pol-ballus

Dr. Gooner

Read that one the other day. Lovely piece.

Mark

So I guess with the window closed we retained Tierney for at least the Fall. Wonder if he will get any playing time at all in the cup competitions.

Dennis Asiimwe Bibangambah

Actually glad we did.

Muggers

Cali, Timber, Kiwior, Tomi, Zin can all play there so yeah maybe 🙃

Arsemouth

Very kind of the Todd to spend money for us to win the league.

thw14

175,000 pounds a week to a title winner to play against him. Man’s got more players on his books than IQ points.

allezkev

Todd is really one of the good guys and a little dim

djourou's nutmeg

i am such a big fan of arseblog and the content and the format and everything and i’ll support you forever but i fucking hate comment moderation man

El Mintero

“While his star may have waned since moving to Chelsea, evidenced by the fact he missed out on Euro 2024 selection for England, there’s no doubt that on his day, Sterling is a phenomenal player.“

Let the u-turns begin…🤦‍♀️

Muggers

He joined Todd’s circus and his star waned. Analyse that and use Kai as an example.

Tony

Kai was 24 when we got him, his best years ahead of him. Sterling is almost 30. You people thinking that he will become magically 25yo Sterling again makes no sense.

Hey Zeus

Nobody’s thinking he’s going to be peak Sterling. He hasn’t got the pace he once had. But he’s another in the mould of Trossard (who is also nearly 30 btw) who has intelligent movement and decent finishing ability to still contribute. He’s not the £50m player Chelsea bought, but he’s also not costing us £50m or even significant wages (probably less than Nketiah and Nelson were on combined). Not the signing we wanted but the players we wanted we couldn’t get. I’d rather we get in someone better than what we had with no obligation (and still have the option… Read more »

El Mintero

Let’s have some perspective amidst the club-approved PR line…

So far in Arteta’s reign we’ve signed Jesus, Zinchenko and now Sterling. All influenced by Arteta’s days at city but deemed finished/washed up/done by pep, and here you all are thinking this will win us the league??

Underwhelming as fuck. If we’re serious about beating city we don’t sign their rejects.

Muggers

Not totally true, they wanted more game time and Pep sells if a player isn’t happy. Plus they’ve all got experience of winning the league…

Tony

100% correct. Zinchenko and Jesus were signed to make us a top 4 team. Now they don’t even start. Signing Sterling and not a young, exciting attacker with world class potential is regression not progression.

Hey Zeus

Young exciting attacker with world class potential? Like Sesko (who decided to stay) or Williams (who also decided to stay)?

Almost like we did try to get those players, but they didn’t want to move. You can’t always sign the players you want, but there’s literally no world in which replacing Nelson and Nketiah with Sterling (esp on loan, with no obligation to buy, and Chelsea paying half his wages) is a regression.

Henkamp

Are you going to say Palmer was a city reject, too?

El Mintero

Oh did I miss the Palmer signing?

The Beast

All I’m hearing is that City threw the league as soon as they decided to sign that washed up City reject Gündogân….

Dennis Asiimwe Bibangambah

Small compact squad with a potential to be ruthless. Now what we need is to make our finishing clinical.

John

this is good business, kudos to Edu and team. i really dreaded buying him with those huge wages, but a loan is advantage US. big thumbs up!! Chelski must be in quite the mess!!

Fatgooner

Willian 2.

Seth

You are the worst sometimes

Basil

A loan,with no fee, Chelsea picking up half the salary. 29 is far from old. He has experience, big match player, knows arteta, who coached him through probably his most successful period, and covers all three from positions. How, exactly is he anything like Willian? You are, of course, entitled to you opinion, but you should be able to defend it rationally. And your constant criticisms of everything the club does is tedious beyond belief.

Chris

Who knows? I think he will be decent. Hopefully he will be.

Texas Red

Hopefully never a Fatgooner 2!

AusGunner

miserable shit

Vaibhav Pandey

Sterling will eat the minutes of Ethan and block his development, which should be fast tracked imo.

The Beast

Do they even play in the same positions though?

Basil

Than plays centre midfield, you absolute clown.

Nico

Fatso I can’t imagine how were you during the Banter Eras when everyone was moaning.

Tony

Exactly and we sold/loaned 4 players up front. Disaster season incoming.

Hey Zeus

a) no we didn’t as ESR played all of his league minutes in midfield last season while Vieira played the vast majority of his there too
b) They played a combined 2,000 minutes for us in the league last season. Sterling alone played 1978 (and Merino, who was also signed to replace those players, played a further 2,482 minutes for Sociedad).

PMIG

Increases the quality of backup.
Chavs part paying him to win with us.
Ties us over until we can bring Sesko in.
What’s not to love?

Chris

Decent.

Compared to others we bought more and sold well. I am very happy with the Sterling signing.

Fatgooner

This has been a disastrous transfer window for Arsenal Football Club. The main requirement was a quality centre-forward who could score crucial goals in big, tight games. Instead we’ve got yet another attacking winger. I was a massive fan of Stirling 5 years ago, but there is a reason why the Chavs don’t want him, and why he was left out of the England squad this summer. He’s past it. He’s already on his way down. Do you realise that, having now sold Eddie, WE DON’T HAVE A SINGLE CENTRE-FORWARD IN THE FIRST-TEAM SQUAD? Havertz isn’t one. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!… Read more »

Texas Red

Said it before and I’ll say it again, you are insufferable. Don’t even think about celebrating with us if we win the title.

Will

Woah there. Did you notice how in Arteta’s 5 striker free years we have actually improved a bit? I’m delighted we got a versatile forward for nothing who provides competition on the left and high quality backup on the right. Disagree that he’s past it but hard to know till we see. He was played very differently at Chelsea compared to with Mikel at city.

Stu

Remember Barcelona when they had Messi, Villa and Pedro in the front three positions? I’d hardly call any of them a true ‘Centre Forward’ and if I remember right they did pretty okay… maybe we’ll be okay too?

Serious note though I think at the least he’s an upgrade on Eddie and Reiss and isn’t going to cost us much in the big picture

PMIG

And yet, we scored 91 goals last season…

Arteta wants a specific striker, he wasn’t available, we wait.
In the meantime, we have strengthened the best defence in the league, and brought in a proper partner for Declan.

In terms of the forward line: Martinelli/Trossard – Havertz/Jesus – Saka/Sterling
Looks strong enough to me.
Love love love.

Fezec

In a parallel universe we don’t sign Sterling and Nketiah stays at Arsenal.

On an Arsenal blog a bloke called Fatgooner uses capitals in a petulant rant about how we’ve blown the title by keeping Nketiah who isn’t good enough for Arsenal, laments the existence of Edu and Arteta for not being able to sell players and wished we’d signed a proven PL attacker.

Fatgooner

In a parallel universe we sell Eddie and upgrade with a quality centre-forward. That was what needed to be done.

Having released so many players our squad is now weaker than it was at the start of the season.

Hey Zeus

In that parallel universe did Sesko decide to leave Germany? Bc it’s almost like we tried to sign a quality centre forward. Notice Chelsea (who needed one) didn’t, nor did City (who lost Alvarez and didn’t replace him).

AusGunner

“The main requirement was a quality centre-forward”

according to whom? you? you’re irrelevant.

Vaibhav Pandey

I don’t usually agree with all you opinions but I agree in this instance that in this window we have not made required improvements and are an injury or two away from a catastrophe. With increased games and less post Euro rest, injuries are highly probable.

Tony

Terrible transfer window indeed, especially for our attacking options. We sold ESR, Nketiah, loaned Nelson and Vieira and brought only an aging Sterling that hasn’t played decent football for 3 years. Our squad is actually much weaker. What if Odegaard gets injured, who is going to play 10? What if an attacking player gets injured or is out form? We are supposed to compete for the league and the CL and our squad is thinner and weaker. What a terrible window.

Al Gilmore

Everyone ages. But 29 isn’t old. Plus he’s not exactly been flogged with games last season and had the summer off. He is immediately among our quickest players, perfect for coming on with 20mins to go when we are 1-0 & looking to hit on the break. Even at CFC his numbers were good. And we can’t use CFC as a barometer for how bad a player is – they are in turmoil.

Dhanesh

1. A versatile forward, quality player, and a lot of PL experience. 2. His versatility is going to make our attack a little more unpredictable. 3. Saka gets to rest, recuperate, and go to the next level. 4. Has already worked with Arteta and flourished under him at City. Having worked with Pep is a bonus. 5. Reduced wage fee + Chelsea paying 50% of it. 6. No obligation to buy. 7. He is going to want to prove people wrong after what happened at Chelsea. No one expected this deal to happen but I can’t find any reason for… Read more »

Fezec

Got to be worth at least 3 penalties this season too

Mootilated

Even if you don’t like this signing, you have to admit that getting an experienced player who has played with some of the best clubs in world football and won titles, for NO loan fee and having to only pay half his salary is a fucking bargain and a half!

Tony

How people think this is a good signing is beyond me. He is almost 30, been terrible for three seasons, why do you think he will be transformed back to Sterling from 5 years ago? Havertz was 24 when we got him last summer, still his best years ahead of him. I was expecting us to spend to sign a young, exciting attacker with world class potential and for two months we did nothing. Sold ESR, Nketiah, loaned Nelson and Vieira and only brought an aging Sterling that hasn’t played decent football for 3 years. What a terrible transfer window… Read more »

UGooner

Like really who cares if he’s almost 30 on a one year loan? How old are you then? Let him play for us, give him chance and see what he can do. All doom and gloom while the seasons just kicking off. Let’s watch and enjoy our football. COYG

Scrubbychubby

No one is expecting the Sterling from 5 years ago. 5 years ago he was one of the best players in the league on 300k per week. He isn’t that now. Doesn’t mean he won’t be a good player who adds strength in depth. Not every signing has to be a Declan Rice mega money ceiling raiser. This is a pragmatic signing that improves the quality from the bench. And it isn’t costing the club a relative fortune. There isn’t really a downside.

Al Gilmore

I’m pretty sure our hierarchy were looking for the same thing. The fact that they didn’t sign one tends to suggest the ones we were after were either totally unavailable currently or not currently affordable. In the cold light of day we have acquired a very experienced, quick, versatile player for 0 capital outlay, meaning the money will be there for when that CF we all want is available. I think Sterling will help us score goals and is definitely an upgrade on the players we let go. He has immediately increased our pace up front. At 29 he is… Read more »

Tobi6footplus

Chelsea has had a terrible few seasons. I don’t understand why you choose to be blinded by your emotions when the facts are starring you in the face. On this thread, someone has posted his stats for the past 2 “poor” seasons; in summary a goal and assist in every other game( roughly 1.8 games). That’s the standard for an elite winger in the Premier league ( a goal/assist in 1 in 2 games is the general standard). You keep saying Harvertz was young that’s why he was able to make a turnaround, hasn’t Jorghino been of value since he… Read more »

Hey Zeus

Sterling has been “terrible for three seasons” yet scored more Premier League goals last season than the four players who left COMBINED?

Depth is nothing if it’s just numbers the manager won’t use because the drop in quality is too high. That’s why Sterling has almost as many Premier League minutes last season as those four COMBINED; he’s better than they are.

Hopeful

I will be interested to see how everyone on here reacts when Stirling starts to miss those clear cut chances that should be winning us games. Why did Pep get rid of him. Maybe I will be proven wrong but I am certainly not feeling excited about this ..

Daveod

I’m not raheems biggest fan I’ll be honest, but it’s a very low risk deal and at least now when we play Chelsea I know which player to score I put in my bet builder

Hey Zeus

Can he play against them as he’s on loan from them? Not sure he can…

Der32

Chelsea is subsidizing half his wages but he’ll have double the motivation now. Can’t wait for him to make 20 G/A contributions compared to Sancho’s 5. Welcome to the Arsenal Sterling.

Bradys chips

He’s the oldest winger in town…

IgorStepanoooo

As long as he doesn’t whine and moan to the press from then bench, I’m game.

Adam S

F*uk all down the drain – Sterling scores again !!

portugunner

congrats sir edu!

JB2010

I love the fact that if/when he scores for us, Chelsea will have paid for a percentage of that goal!

Scrubbychubby

At first glance it seems that there’s a lot of negativity in the comments. But on closer inspection it’s literally 4 posters having a rant, then coming back for more a bit further down the comment section. Wasn’t my first choice at the start of the window but he is without question a clear upgrade on Reiss, and adds strength in depth as well as experience. No loan fee, no obligation and Chelsea paying half his wages. It’s basically a zero risk transfer. Very astute. Seems to be the same people moaning who were moaning about Jorginho 18 months ago,… Read more »

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