Why Did Arsenal Sign Raheem Sterling On Deadline Day?

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Arsenal unveil new signing Raheem Sterling at Sobha Realty ... [+] Training Centre on August 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Raheem Sterling has been around. The England winger has now played for four of the biggest clubs in the Premier League after completing a deadline day transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal. This was a transfer that largely came out of the blue as Sterling departed the Blues, but what role will the 29-year-old play for Mikel Arteta’s team?

Many Arsenal supporters believed their team should have prioritised the addition of a new number nine in the summer transfer window. Kai Havertz continues to deliver in that position, but the German international isn’t a conventional centre forward. This led to links with Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney and others.

Victor Osimhen of Napoli is participating in day 14 of the preseason training camp of SSC Napoli at ... [+] Stadio Patini in Castel di Sangro, Italy, on August 2, 2024. (Photo by Ciro De Luca/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Instead, the Emirates Stadium outfit moved for Sterling, a winger. The 29-year-old is versatile enough to play on both sides and will give Arsenal good depth as it prepares for another Premier League title challenge. Sterling might not be the Gunners’ first choice on either wing, but he will still receive a good amount of game time over the course of the campaign.

Bakayo Saka is Arsenal’s most reliable difference-maker in the final third. Indeed, the England international registered an impressive 16 goals and nine assists in 35 Premier League appearances last season and looks set for another eye-catching campaign on the right side of the Gunners’ frontline.

However, there was consensus last season that Saka was over-worked. Arsenal needed someone who could take some of the burden off the 22-year-old and that’s where Sterling will be useful. He could even push Saka for a starting spot in Arteta’s favoured lineup such is his experience and quality in the attack.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea in action during the pre-season friendly ... [+] match between Chelsea and FC Internazionale at Stamford Bridge on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

On the left side, Sterling could even make himself a key figure. Gabriel Martinelli has held that position for the majority of Arteta’s time as Arsenal manager, but the Brazilian has struggled for form and fitness over the last 12 months. Leandro Trossard has proven himself as a good option off the bench, but Sterling is likely an upgrade over the Belgian. Sterling could even operate through the middle.

Sterling’s opportunistic capture from Chelsea makes clear that Arsenal are intent on winning trophies as soon as possible. The time for development has passed. The Gunners want to win now and Sterling should help them do that. He could push Arsenal that bit closer to the top of the Premier League table. Chelsea’s loss can be the Gunners’ very notable gain.