RAHEEM STERLING’S deadline day loan move to Arsenal from Chelsea caught many by surprise but could prove to be pivotal moment in his already illustrious career, writes Vlad Andrejevic.
Despite being Chelsea’s first marquee signing under the new ownership in 2022, Sterling had an indifferent spell at the west London club. He wasn’t alone as Chelsea have had two turbulent and largely disappointing seasons, nonetheless the Jamaican-born forward never quite solidified his place in the team.
Enzo Maresca’s appointment this summer, the club’s fourth in the last two years, saw Sterling play a role in every game in pre-season for the new manager, including scoring in a friendly against Manchester City. However, come the opening competitive game against the same opponents a fortnight later, Sterling wasn’t named in the squad.
This prompted his team to publicly release a statement clarifying that they had sought reassurances for their player, but no such support was received as Maresca remained tight-lipped. Thus began the 29-year-old’s search for a new challenge, which is where Arsenal came in.
Their manager Mikel Arteta was keen to leap on the opportunity as he knew first-hand the quality Sterling could bring to his squad. Having coached him during his time at Manchester City, Arteta clearly felt that his addition would bolster the team, both on and off the pitch.
Following the transfer, in an interview with Sky Sports, Arteta said: “We all know the qualities, it’s a big step up for us, we have managed to bring a top talent and a player with a lot of experience that hopefully will impact the team in a big way.”
What impact Sterling will have on the Gunners as they attempt to finally topple Manchester City for the title remains to be seen, however there is no doubting his pedigree.
Born in Kingston, he moved to London at the age of five and was picked up by the QPR academy by the age of ten. In 2010 he was signed by Liverpool, initially joining the academy before fast-tracking to the first-team and making his debut in February 2012 at the age of 17.
The following campaign was his breakthrough season as he played 36 games in all competitions and establishing himself as an electric and exciting winger under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers. His status grew further in the 2013/14 season, playing part of a formidable attacking trio alongside Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez which saw Liverpool finish in second.
The following season was far less successful for the Merseyside club as they slumped to 6th, however Sterling’s performances remained solid throughout which caught the attention of Manchester City and lead them to sign him for a then-record fee for a British player.
It took a while for Sterling to blossom at his new club, firstly under manager Manuel Pelligrini and then the following year under Pep Guardiola as the club finished 4th and 3rd respectively. Guardiola’s philosophy took a year to bed in with the players, but by the 2017/18 season, they were unstoppable.
The club broke multiple records as they went on to win the League Cup and get 100 points in the Premier League, with Sterling central to the centurions.
Predominantly playing on the left, he had his most prolific season, registering 18 goals and 11 assists.
Along with fellow wide player Leroy Sane, Sterling became part of the most feared forward line in the league, going on to score 17 followed by 20 league goals in his next two seasons at the club. His pace and dribbling were on show from his youth, yet with Guardiola and Arteta’s coaching, he added goalscoring prowess to his list of attributes
He had also become a big-game player, often turning up trumps when his team needed him most. In his final two seasons, his numbers faded slightly but his influence on the team continued to grow as he took on more responsibility, notably scoring winners in four consecutive games in December 2021 as he helped his club lift their fourth title in five years.
This growing maturity was apparent off the field too. Often the subject of racially motivated media discrimination, Sterling took a stand and spoke out against the media, labelling them responsible for ‘fuelling racism’ and calling for change.
Using social media as a tool, he continued to be a voice against racism, the impact of which led him to be awarded an MBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to racial equality in sport.
The same year saw the launch of the Raheem Sterling Foundation; a charitable organisation created to ‘empower and invest in young people to improve access to education, create employment, and improve social mobility.’
Simultaneously, Sterling’s stature grew in the national side as he became a key figure for his country. Following his debut in 2012, Sterling became a stalwart for England, especially under Gareth Southgate, earning 82 caps and scoring 20 goals.
He was for a long time the first name on the team sheet and the Three Lions’ biggest threat behind captain Harry Kane, with whom he developed an excellent partnership. Sterling was particularly instrumental in the 2020 Euros, scoring England’s first three goals as they reached their first final since 1966.
Since his somewhat ill-fated move to Chelsea, Sterling has struggled to maintain the high standards he had set over the years during an uncertain era at the club, leading to him falling out of favour with the national side.
He will therefore look to Arsenal with great optimism, hoping his already established relationship with Arteta along with the stability of the club will bring the best out of him and return him to the international fold.
Speaking to the club’s media about his move, he said “It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this”, going on to praise Arteta and to mention his excitement at “the real togetherness, the journey that the boys are on, and the hunger. The togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of.”
Although not a criticism, it has often been implied that Sterling thrives in an environment in which he is appreciated, so under Arteta he may well recapture his best form.
Whilst it’s unclear what percentage of games he will start, he will no doubt play an integral role in Arsenal’s title and cup challenges throughout the season, offering a different attacking option along with his vast experience.
With the recent injury of captain Martin Odegaard and the suspension of Declan Rice, Sterling will stake a claim to make his debut against north London rivals Tottenham, where any contribution to a positive result would ignite his new chapter.
