Arsenal completed their summer transfer window with the loan signing of Raheem Sterling for the season from Chelsea.
Having been exiled by Enzo Maresca from his plans at Stamford Bridge, Mikel Arteta has offered Sterling with a reunion in north London.
The pair worked together at Manchester City during Arteta’s time as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad.
Ironically, the pair are now looking to battle City at Arsenal for the Premier League title after two years of pushing.
The deal to take Sterling to the Emirates was not announced until a few hours after the deadline on Friday night which saw Arsenal forced to submit a deal sheet into the Premier League.
With the former England international now an Arsenal player for the season, Fabrizio Romano has shared some information from behind the scenes at London Colney.
What Fabrizio Romano has heard about Raheem Sterling from Arsenal
With the first international break of the season now in full swing, Sterling has been gifted the opportunity to settle in to Arsenal with a two week break till their next game.
And games in north London do not come any bigger than the derby against Tottenham Hotspur which sees the Gunners travel to N17 next weekend.
But it seems as if Sterling is already impressing the coaches behind the scenes at Arsenal with the early indications looking positive.
According to Romano, Sterling was left absolutely delighted to have sealed the move to north London before the end of play on Friday night.
“Things didn’t end that easily for Raheem Sterling at Chelsea, but he’s very happy to join Arsenal,” he said in his Daily Briefing.
“Happy about the project, the manager, staying in London as he didn’t want to move to Middle East or this kind of solutions. So, I’m told he’s buzzing for this opportunity to join Arsenal.”
What Raheem Sterling actually said about joining Arsenal
Sterling had now been included in the plans of Maresca in west London as he did not make the cut for any of Chelsea’s opening games.
To rub salt into the wound, Sterling’s number was also given to summer signing Pedro Neto whilst he was still at the club.
With the prospect of not playing a single minute on the cards, Sterling pushed for a move away before the deadline on Friday.
And it would be fair to say that Sterling was pleased when he was able to hold up the Arsenal shirt on Friday night.
“It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That’s exactly how I am as a person,” he told the club website.
