The 10-second phone call that convinced Mikel Arteta to sign Raheem Sterling

The 10-second phone call that convinced Mikel Arteta to sign Raheem Sterling

Eric Munene 08:00 - 14.09.2024

Mikel Arteta has described how he came to the decision to sign Raheem Sterling on deadline day.

Raheem Sterling became Arsenal's last signing for on August 30 after joining on a free transfer. He joined an evolving Arsenal squad that has already brought in Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori.

Sterling has had some time to regroup and strategize for the coming season after not being selected to the English squad that participated in the Euros and the just concluded round fixtures of the UEFA Nations League.

Bearing this in mind Sterling should be brimming with energy heading into Sunday's fixture against Tottenham.

Mikel Arteta during his press conference shared the moment when he knew that Sterling was the man that Arsenal needed to add for purposes of squad depth and quality.

After being questioned on what he thinks has changed in Sterling bearing the fact that they last worked together 5 years ago at Manchester City where they became champions together.

Arteta responded by saying that a lot has changed in Sterling's personal life and opened up about a phone call they had before the decision to sign s Sterling was made.

"Yeah I think a lot has changed in his personal life obviously since the last moment we were together. I was really surprised the first call that I had with him I knew in the next ten seconds that we had to bring him because he really wanted and that was my biggest question mark you know what stage he is at in his career and after 10 seconds I already even before the next questions we need him here."

Raheem Sterling is expected to feature in the North London derby on Sunday after Arsenal were stricken by unexpected misfortunes in their midfield.

Martin Odegaard picked up an ankle injury when he way playing in the Nations League for Norway against Austria while Declan Rice will serve a one match ban following a red card in the Brighton game.

All eyes will be on Sterling as he stares at a new chapter of his career.