Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling on a season-long loan.
The Gunners’ move for the Blues forward went right to the wire and required a deal sheet to be filed to the Premier League in order to complete it after the English transfer deadline.
England and Chelsea star Sterling has swapped west London for north London and been reunited with Mikel Arteta, who he previously worked with at Manchester City, at the Emirates Stadium.
The Blues effectively forced Sterling out of the club after stripping him of his squad number, while head coach Enzo Maresca publicly told the player to find a new team or risk rotting in the reserves.
He’s set to spend the rest of the 2024/25 campaign as part of Arsenal’s title-chasing cohort as they look to knock former club City off their Premier League throne.
Sterling will join the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard as options on the left side of Arsenal’s attack, offering Arteta more depth after losing Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe to Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively this summer. He can also provide needed cover for Bukayo Saka on the right flank.
His move to Arsenal could even offer him the chance to break back into the England squad, after missing out on the chance to join his teammates in Germany at the 2024 European Championships. He has also be omitted from Lee Carsley’s squad for the September internationals.
Sterling will be unable to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, but will be registered in time to face Tottenham Hotspur in his first north London derby after the international break.
