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Ex-Liverpool star Raheem Sterling 'needed just 10 seconds' to secure Arsenal transfer

Raheem Sterling has joined Arsenal
-Credit: (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Getty Images)


Mikel Arteta was convinced within "10 seconds" that he wanted to bring Raheem Sterling to Arsenal.

Sterling, the 29-year-old former Liverpool winger, expressed to Arteta his "dream" of playing for Arsenal - a sentiment that essentially sealed the deal during their phone conversation. Arteta views Sterling as the ultimate big-game player and is prepared to deploy him in the North London derby, either from the start or off the bench.

Arteta, who previously coached Sterling at Manchester City and helped him reach his peak, is confident that the loan signing will make a significant impact due to his mentality and eagerness to prove himself to his parent club, Chelsea.

Arteta said: "The first call I had with him I knew in the first 10 seconds we had to bring him here because he really wanted it. That was my only question mark, 'What stage is he at in his career?' After 10 seconds I knew already before the next questions that we needed him here.‌ His first words were, 'I was dreaming about this call.'

"That’s it. That tells you that he really wants it and was already thinking about the possibility and he could see himself here, delivering and enjoying his profession.‌ When that happened, the rest I knew about him, so that blew all the question marks away."

Arteta also stated that he has no reservations about thrusting Sterling into the intense atmosphere of Sunday's match. ‌"It is one of the things I love most about Raz," said Arteta. "You take him to any ground, anywhere in the world and he is willing to be there to make the difference."

Sterling came through the ranks at Liverpool before completing a transfer to Manchester City in 2015. The 82-cap England international won four Premier League titles, among other trophies, at the Etihad before joining Chelsea in 2022.

Sterling played frequently during his two seasons at Stamford Bridge but was deemed surplus to requirements during the summer, forcing him to find a new team late in the transfer window. He's joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Chelsea.