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Raheem Sterling son plays unexpected role in huge Bukayo Saka Arsenal moment

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Raheem Sterling's son played a starring role in Bukayo Saka's first Champions League game as Arsenal captain on Tuesday night.

The Gunners got their European campaign up and running at the Emirates Stadium as goals from Kai Havertz and Saka secured a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

In the absence of Martin Odegaard, Saka was named Arsenal captain for the night and managed to mark the occasion by scoring his first Champions League goal of the season with an inswinging free-kick that caught Gianluigi Donnarumma unaware.

And it was with Sterling's son, Thiago, that the England international's evening began as the seven-year-old was a mascot for the tie and walked out with Saka for the sold-out clash in North London.

For Sterling, who signed on a season-long loan from Chelsea on deadline day, that his family was involved in Tuesday's Champions League tie is perhaps the most telling indication of how quickly he has settled into life at the Emirates Stadium.

The four-time Premier League winner made his Gunners debut in last month's North London Derby win over Tottenham Hotspur and scored his first goal for the club less than two weeks later as a heavily-rotated side thrashed League One Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the League Cup.

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After Sterling's deadline-day move to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta said: "He looks great. First of all, because he has a big smile on his face, a lot of energy. He's at it and he wants to prove a point."

The 29-year-old could make his first start for the club on Saturday when Arsenal host Southampton.