Raheem Sterling will finally seal his Arsenal switch on a season-long loan from Chelsea, marking yet another huge moment in the winger’s Premier League career. Sterling leaves Chelsea at the end of an underwhelming campaign with the Blues, and the 29-year-old forward is all set for fresh starts under Mikel Arteta at the Gunners. What does this move mean, and what would we expect from the 29-year-old forward at his new club?
A New Chapter in Sterling’s Career
Things did not go accordingly for Sterling at Chelsea. Having signed with a lot of fanfare, he found himself out of favor at the Stamford. While blues new boss Enzo Maresca has made it plain: Sterling-just like a few other players-was no longer part of his plans and should seek a new club. It was now tough on Sterling, who, having joined Chelsea with a lot of hopes, gets to make an impact.
However, Arsenal saw a chance to add a known and trusted Premier League player into their dressing room. Having released the players like Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Reiss Nelson, Arsenal were in desperate need of more firepower up front. Raheem Sterling fit perfectly, given his experience and ability to give strength to the attack line.
The Shirt Number Struggle
The first of the major problem that Sterling will face with Arsenal isn’t on the pitch, it is his shirt number. Sterling has worn No. 7 from his time at Manchester City to Chelsea, but that is taken by Bukayo Saka at Arsenal.
Sterling also wore NO. 17 during his time at Chelsea but this too stands on the back of Oleksandr Zinchenko who moved to Arsenal from Manchester City. Now this leaves Sterling with only a few options which needs to be selected carefully.
He has worn the No. 31 previously for Liverpool, and that number is available presently at Arsenal after goalkeeper Karl Hein left on loan. Whether Sterling returns to this throwback number or something altogether different in nature yet remains to be seen. For now, it’s a minor but intriguing detail in what could be the major move of his career.
How Can Sterling Bring in His ‘A’ Game at Arsenal
Sterling’s move to Arsenal could be an ideal strategy for him to get back to his prime, reaching the heights where he actually belongs. Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has developed into a team that plays attacking football, with an emphasis on quick passes and counterattacks and passing the ball out wide for getting the wingers into play, is a style that really suits Sterling’s game. At his best, Sterling has pace, dribbling ability, and is in positions to score goals, which could be a huge asset to Arsenal’s title ambitions.
His experience will be important in the dressing room, too, someone who has played under some top managers in Pep Guardiola, and having been part of title-winning squads at Manchester City brings a winning mentality that could inspire some of Arsenal’s younger players. Furthermore, Sterling already knows how Arteta works because of their time together at Manchester City when Arteta was an assistant manager. This pre-existing link could result in Sterling getting adjusted quickly at Arsenal and proving to be an effective contributor.
Challenges Lying Ahead on Sterling’s Path to Success
Of course, this move is not without its own challenges. Sterling will still face tough competition from the players of his on squad, that is-Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand side of the attack, with both showing recent good form for Arsenal. Sterling shall once again need to prove a point that his fitness level is well up to par.
Moreover, with the disappointing outcome at Chelsea, there is a pressure of movement to another big club. The scrutiny will be on him to deliver immediately, and any dip in form could lead to criticism from the fans and pundits alike.
What to expect
If everything going his way, Sterling could nail down the left-wing spot at Arsenal as a quality addition to their attack. With sterling speed and experience, he may turn out to be important in tight games or on several fronts in the latter stages of the season.
This transfer, however, also provides Sterling with the perfect opportunity to prove his doubters wrong. Having had a tough time at Chelsea, he will be keen on showing that he can still match up with performances at the top level. Be it scoring goals for the team or creating assist chances, not to mention bringing experience to the team’s fold, Sterling can make a substantial difference at Arsenal.
While the move to Arsenal does bring some question marks for Sterling, it can prove to be a new beginning that rejuvenates his career. The fans of Arsenal will be praying Sterling brings his best form to the Emirates and helps the club challenge for honors this season.
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