Arteta plans 'quick wins' to use Sterling 'as soon as possible'

Mikel Arteta says he plans to use new signing Raheem Sterling "as soon as possible" after the Chelsea winger joined on loan on Transfer Deadline Day for rest of the season. 

Sterling watched his new team from the stands as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. But will he be involved in their first match after the international break, a north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 15 September?

"We have to speak to him. See what he's been doing and how he's feeling," Arteta said post-match of Sterling, who hasn't played a single minute of Premier League football this season and has been left out of the England squad for next week's internationals. 

"We have to try find quick wins to get him up to speed as soon as possible and [get him] understanding what we're looking for from him. As soon as possible we'll get him involved."

Arteta worked with Sterling at Man City, where the Arsenal manager was assistant to Pep Guardiola from 2016 to 2019.

While Arteta was at Man City Sterling scored 51 Premier League goals. Arteta, who also came up against Sterling during his playing days, says it is up to Arsenal to help him the winger reach those numbers once again. 

“We are very happy with what we have done,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “We know his qualities, it’s a big step up for us, we have brought a player with a top talent and plenty of experience that hopefully is going to impact the team in a positive way.

“He’s got his numbers [at City] because he was playing under a great manager [Guardiola] with great players around him that did so much for him, if you do that he is going to score the goals and create so many issues to the opponent - that’s what we have to do as a team.”

Sterling and Arteta meeting as players

“We didn't plan to sign him”

Arsenal's sporting director Edu has revealed Sterling wasn't a player they were looking at signing at the start of the window but that the club couldn't turn down the opportunity to bring in a player of such experience.

“To be fair we never planned really to sign him when we started the transfer window, just to be very transparent, for different reasons,” Edu said on Arsenal's website.

“But we always say to everyone that you have to be prepared for every single scenario. So when that opportunity came to me, and I checked the squad, I checked how he plays, and spoke to Mikel of course. I spoke to Tim [Lewis], our vice-chairman, to check if everyone is comfortable for the step we are going to take, and it makes a lot of sense. 

“It makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I’m pretty sure he is going to add a lot in the squad.

“He has experience, he understands more than anyone the league, he’s played in the Champions League many times. He won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad and I feel really happy to see someone like him in our squad.” 

Wright: It's a magnificent move

Former Premier League striker Ian Wright believes Sterling's move is an excellent signing for Arsenal and that he can help the Gunners win the Premier League title.

“It's a magnificent move for Arsenal and a magnificent move for Raheem at this stage of his career,” Wright, the Arsenal legend, said.

“To get a player of that calibre, with that experience, with a manager he knows, it's an unbelievable deal for Arsenal. 

“Because of what he's achieved in a system that he will understand, it absolutely [boosts Arsenal's title hopes]."