Arsenal have secured the services of England winger Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea in a last-minute deadline day agreement.

In a surprising move, Raheem Sterling has joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea for the upcoming Premier League season. The 29-year-old winger was informed by new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca that he would not be getting any playing time, leading him to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Arsenal has provided Sterling with a lifeline, although there is no obligation for the Gunners to sign him permanently. It is believed that Sterling has taken a pay cut to make the move to north London.

Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, revealed that the club had not initially planned on signing Sterling. However, when the opportunity presented itself, they decided to pursue the deal. Edu consulted with manager Mikel Arteta and vice-chairman Tim Lewis to ensure everyone was comfortable with the decision.

The addition of Sterling is seen as a valuable one for Arsenal, as he brings experience and a deep understanding of the Premier League, having won the title multiple times and played in the Champions League.

Unfortunately, Sterling will not be available for Arsenal’s upcoming match against Brighton, as he was signed after the registration deadline. He becomes Arsenal’s fourth signing of the transfer window, joining Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, and David Raya.

In other news, Arteta confirmed that Merino, who recently joined Arsenal, will be sidelined for a few weeks due to a shoulder injury sustained in his first training session. This setback is a blow for the Gunners, as they were hoping to integrate Merino into the squad quickly.

Sterling’s move to Arsenal comes after a stint at Manchester City, where he made 339 appearances and won the Premier League four times under Pep Guardiola. However, his time at Chelsea did not yield the same level of success, as he struggled to make an impact. In 81 appearances for the Blues, Sterling scored 19 goals and provided 18 assists before being deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca.

Chelsea, who already have a wealth of options on the wing, further bolstered their squad on deadline day by signing Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United. This move, coupled with Sterling’s departure, highlights the depth and competition within Chelsea’s squad this season.

Overall, Sterling’s loan move to Arsenal provides him with an opportunity to reignite his career and make a significant impact for the Gunners. It remains to be seen how he will adapt to his new surroundings and whether he can recapture the form that made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting wingers.