Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal on a season long loan from Chelsea on deadline day. Mikel Arteta has now revealed what was said in talks with the England international to convince him to move to North London.
Sterling made his Gunners’ debut in the North London derby last weekend as Arsenal beat Spurs 1-0 courtesy of a Gabriel header in the 64th minute. Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit in second place just two points off league leaders Manchester City. The two teams will meet in the Premier League this weekend, but Arsenal have a game against Atalanta on Thursday night.
Mikel Arteta and Raheem Sterling worked together at Manchester City before the Spaniard became head coach at Arsenal in 2019. The two were said to have a very good working relationship and it is one of the reasons the 29-year old agreed to move this summer.
What Raheem Sterling and Mikel Arteta spoke about before the loan move
Speaking to Sky Sports, Mikel Arteta revealed the details in the phone call he had with Sterling before the winger decided to join the club:
“It’s very simple. I spoke to Edu and he told me about the possibility, that it was real and that it could happen,” Arteta said.
“He asked me what my thoughts were and obviously I was already extremely positive, but I had a question and I thought it would be resolved in the first 15 to 20 seconds of my conversation on the phone with Raheem.
“It got resolved a little earlier than that because I took the phone and he said he was dreaming of this call. That was it.
“We discussed a few other things but when I see a player that is genuinely willing to come to the club, prove a point and be part of something that he has seen from the outside that is motivating and inspiring him, I said he needs to be here.”
Arsenal are ready to win trophies
Mikel Arteta recently signed a new deal which would see him remain at the club till 2027. After winning the FA Cup in his first year in charge, the Spaniard believes the team is ready to win major trophies:
“That’s the direction that we are taking, and I think we are on the right one.
“But then to deliver those trophies there are small margins, a lot of details and being in the right place at the right moment, and we have to be there.
“We are there and hopefully they will be coming.”
Arsenal face Atalanta in their first game of the Champions League campaign on Thursday night.
