Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals he decided to sign Raheem Sterling on loan just SECONDS into his conversation with the Chelsea outcast
- Raheem Sterling sealed his transfer to Arsenal in the final hours of deadline day
- He has already impressed Mikel Arteta, with the head coach praising his ‘hunger’
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Mikel Arteta had decided to sign Raheem Sterling on transfer deadline day, after spending just 10 seconds on the phone with the winger.
Sunday’s North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham is likely to be Sterling’s first appearance in the Gunners squad after completing a loan move from Chelsea.
The England international had been dropped by the Blues and was desperately looking for another player.
Arteta, who was assistant manager at Manchester City when Sterling was living in the north of England, picked up the phone and offered him a move to Arsenal.
Arteta said: ‘When I first called him, I knew within ten seconds that we had to take him because he really wanted it. That was my only question mark: “What stage of his career is he at?”
Mikel Arteta revealed he has decided to sign Raheem Sterling from Arsenal, seconds after their conversation began
The striker sealed a dramatic transfer on the final day and has already impressed the head coach
Sterling was sidelined at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca and was allowed to leave
‘After 10 seconds I knew we needed him here, even before the next questions came.
‘What I see is hunger. He is a player who wants to play every minute of every game.
“You can feel it when you walk through the door. We’re better with him. He’s going to make us better.”
Arsenal are anxiously awaiting the results of further tests into Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury.
The Gunners captain sprained his ankle during a match for Norway on Monday and was seen boarding a plane back to London on crutches.
According to some reports, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could be given a surprise starting spot as a replacement for the Norwegian.
Arsenal sweat over Martin Odegaard’s fitness test due to ankle injury
The midfielder suffered a sprain during his time with Norway and could miss out against Tottenham.
Asked if he would mind playing the teenager in such an important match, Arteta added: ‘We have to adapt during the season (due to injuries).
‘It happened very early on, from the second game onwards. The bench against Brighton was very different to what we probably all expected.
“We have to face it and seize the opportunity, because the children have given us a lot of hope and the right reasons to count on them. If we have to, we will certainly do so.”
