Raheem Sterling sends blunt message to Enzo Maresca after Arsenal move (Video)
After completing a shocking loan switch between the two Premier League rivals, Raheem Sterling sent a strong message to supporters of Chelsea and Arsenal.
After being expelled by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, Sterling will spend the remainder of the 2024–25 season on loan at Arsenal.
Maresca gave Sterling, 29, just a few days to locate a new team after telling him in both a private and public setting that he had no future at Stamford Bridge.
It looked as though Sterling could be forced to stay at Chelsea even on deadline day, but he made a last-minute move across London and joined an Arsenal squad that hopes to win their first Premier League title since 2004.
‘People like to talk, don’t they? Well so do I,’ Sterling said in a video uploaded to Arsenal’s social media accounts. ‘And I’ll say this, you’re about to see the best of me.’
The former Manchester City and Liverpool winger added: ‘It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing.
The best is yet to come.
Welcome to north London, Raheem Sterling ✨ pic.twitter.com/K2YhkSepAp
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2024
‘It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just, like, “This is a perfect fit for me”, and I’m super happy we got it over the line.
‘People like to talk, don’t they? Well so do I,’ Sterling said in a video uploaded to Arsenal’s social media accounts. ‘And I’ll say this, you’re about to see the best of me.’
The former Manchester City and Liverpool winger added: ‘It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing.
‘It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just, like, “This is a perfect fit for me”, and I’m super happy we got it over the line.
‘I spoke with [sporting director] Edu and I said you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey the boys are on.
‘You can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of.’
Sterling has made 81 appearances for Chelsea and scored 19 goals since joining from Manchester City for £50m in 2022.
Confirming Sterling’s loan move to Arsenal, Chelsea said in a short statement: ‘Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has completed a season-long loan move to Arsenal.
‘Raheem joined the Blues from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and has scored 19 goals across 81 appearances.
‘He will now spend the remainder of the campaign at the Emirates. Good luck, Raheem.’
Sterling’s move shocked ex-Premier League star Michael Brown, who expects Sterling to thrive at Arsenal despite his struggles at Chelsea.
‘Nothing surprises me in football anymore but I can’t actually believe that the Raheem Sterling deal is happening,’ he said on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘Chelsea are letting him go to Arsenal.
‘He has the experience of winning titles, when he walks into the dressing room they will know what he is about.
‘It’s a really, really good positive signing. He may need time to get into the team, but first he just needs to get up and running.
‘Arsenal’s supporters had been left wondering if they were going to sign Raheem Sterling. Will that impact the title race?’