By Seyi Babalola
Chelsea forward, Raheem Sterling has explained why he left the club on loan to Arsenal this summer.
Sterling stated he was encouraged to join Arsenal because of Mikel Arteta’s team’s unity and desire to win.
The England international completed a shock loan move between the two London sides in the last minutes of the European transfer window.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City attacker will now play the remainder of the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca removed Sterling from the Blues’ first-team squad.
Maresca, who left Leicester City for Chelsea this summer, told Sterling privately and publicly that he had no future at Stamford Bridge.
The 29-year-old just needed a few days to locate a new club and completed a late move across London.
“People like to talk, don’t they? Well so do I,” Sterling said in a video uploaded to Arsenal’s social media accounts.
“And I’ll say this, you’re about to see the best of me.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing.
“It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just, like, ‘This is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy we got it over the line.
“I spoke with [sporting director] Edu and I said you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey the boys are on.
“You can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of.”