In a surprising turn of events, Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal, despite the transfer deadline having passed.
A deal sheet was submitted to facilitate the move, allowing Sterling to reunite with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, his former coach at Manchester City.
The 29-year-old England forward was frozen out at Stamford Bridge by new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who publicly stated that he “prefers a different kind of winger”. Sterling was left out of Chelsea’s opening-day defeat to Manchester City on August 18 and has not featured in any of their match-day squads this season.
Sterling was one of Chelsea’s marquee signings in the summer of 2022, joining from Manchester City for £47.5m. He made 81 appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals across two seasons. However, his move to Arsenal does not include an option or obligation for a permanent deal at the end of his spell at the Emirates.
Sterling’s move to Arsenal reunites him with Mikel Arteta, who was assistant to Pep Guardiola during Sterling’s seven-year spell at Manchester City. The loan deal offers Sterling a fresh start and a chance to revive his career under a familiar coach.
