Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta a massive fan of Chelsea star
Tom Weber
- 17 Oct 2023 15:26 BST
- 3 min read
Mikel Arteta is a massive admirer of Chelsea star Raheem Sterling, according to a report.
The Spaniard and the English winger go some way back. The two spent time together at Manchester City when Arteta was Pep Guardiola's assistant and understudy and the Arsenal boss remains a fan of his former player.
So much so in fact that he attempted to sign Sterling last year, according to The Athletic. The Gunners "explored the possibility" of luring the 28-year-old to the Emirates when it became clear that his time in Manchester was coming to an end.
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Instead, however, Sterling became one of the myriad faces brought in by Todd Boehly and company during last season's ridiculous, record-breaking spending spree. The Blues parted with €56 million to land the former Liverpool wonderkid, but Sterling, like most of his teammates, struggled to come to grips with life at Stamford Bridge last term.
Will Arteta regret not signing him?
What makes Sterling such an interesting prospect is his versatility (and, obviously, his quality). Nominally a winger, the England international can feature on either flank but also as a striker and in a more withdrawn attacking midfield role. Arteta loves versatile players and someone like Sterling would have been more than handy for him to have at his disposal.
The Gunners lack cover for Bukayo Saka and while Sterling prefers playing on the left, he would have been an able deputy for the 22-year-old on the right. Though the 28-year-old struggled last term, he is now beginning to show some of the quality that once made him one of England's biggest talents.
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After a spectacular outing against Burnley prior to the international break, many wondered why Sterling had been left out of the England set-up again. If he keeps up this form for the entire season, Mikel Arteta will certainly regret not making a move.
