Arsenal signing Raheem Sterling is an incredible piece of business. He’s a winner, a four-time league champion. He isn’t going to be phased by the size of the club and the level of expectancy from the fan base.
The more players you have in the dressing room that have won trophies, the more it rubs off on those around you. It’s about showing a mentality and calmness in decisive moments and Raheem was a huge part of that at Manchester City.
So, too, was Mikel Arteta. Raheem knows the high standards that Arteta sets. Likewise, Arteta knows how good a professional Raheem is and what a great role model he is.
It’s not just Raheem’s influence in the dressing room but impact on the pitch. He’s versatile and can play across the front line, on both wings, as a striker and as a false nine.
The one area where Arteta has found it difficult at times is strength in depth on the right wing. He had Bukayo Saka and no one else he trusted.
Arsenal signing Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea is an incredible piece of business
That meant he often ran Saka into the ground. Sterling’s arrival gives Arteta an opportunity to rest Saka when needed.
The reality is if Arsenal want to be at that elite level, they need that strength in depth.
Raheem will play more games than people think because if he gets anywhere near his best he’ll be starting.