Raheem Sterling sends defiant message to Arsenal and Chelsea fans after shock loan move.
In a stunning turn of events, Raheem Sterling has completed a loan move from Chelsea to Arsenal, sending a clear message to fans of both clubs.
The 29-year-old England international will spend the remainder of the 2024-25 season at the Emirates Stadium, seeking to revive his career after being cast aside by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
Maresca had made it abundantly clear, both privately and publicly, that Sterling had no future at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling’s message to fans is clear: he is ready to prove himself once again and make a significant impact at his new club.
‘People like to talk, don’t they? Well so do I,’ Sterling said in a video uploaded to Arsenal’s social media accounts.
‘And I’ll say this, you’re about to see the best of me.’
The former Manchester City and Liverpool winger added: ‘It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing.
‘It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just, like, “This is a perfect fit for me”, and I’m super happy we got it over the line.
‘I spoke with [sporting director] Edu and I said you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey the boys are on.
‘You can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of.’
Confirming Sterling’s loan move to Arsenal, Chelsea said in a short statement:
‘Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has completed a season-long loan move to Arsenal.
‘Raheem joined the Blues from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and has scored 19 goals across 81 appearances.
‘He will now spend the remainder of the campaign at the Emirates. Good luck, Raheem.’
Read Also: Aaron Ramsdale Completes Permanent Move to Southampton
Sterling’s move shocked ex-Premier League star Michael Brown, who expects Sterling to thrive at Arsenal despite his struggles at Chelsea.
‘Nothing surprises me in football anymore but I can’t actually believe that the Raheem Sterling deal is happening,’ he said on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘Chelsea are letting him go to Arsenal.
‘He has the experience of winning titles, when he walks into the dressing room they will know what he is about.
‘It’s a really, really good positive signing. He may need time to get into the team, but first he just needs to get up and running.
‘Arsenal’s supporters had been left wondering if they were going to sign Raheem Sterling. Will that impact the title race?’
The move sees Sterling reunite with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who he enjoyed a fruitful relationship with while their pair were at Manchester City.
‘My time with Raheem was exceptional,’ Arteta said when asked about Sterling’s situation in a press conference last week.
‘We built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at that time.
‘He taught me a lot as well, about individuals, how the players think, how we help them and support them.
He is someone I have really strong feelings about.’
Sterling has made 81 appearances for Chelsea and scored 19 goals since joining from Manchester City for £50m in 2022.
