There are differences in approach between Arteta’s Arsenal and Pep Guardiola’s City, but the two teams still share the same fundamental principles. The methodology, training and individual demands will feel familiar to Sterling, even if the surroundings at London Colney do not.
According to Guardiola, it was because of Arteta’s coaching that Sterling turned into a deadly finisher during his time at City. In 2017, Guardiola said of Sterling’s development: “Mikel is working many, many hours and days [with Sterling] after training specifically about the last action on the pitch – that control in the last moment to make the right movement in the final three or four metres. Raheem has wanted to stay there on the training pitch, to improve.”
Low-risk move
Sterling’s knowledge of Arteta — and indeed Arteta’s knowledge of Sterling — makes this a low-risk move for the winger, who is swapping clubs at a time in his career when he cannot afford to take another misstep. Sterling wants to force his way back into the England setup and joining a club like Arsenal should, theoretically at least, help him in that regard. It will certainly help him more than if he had moved to Saudi Arabia.
Off the pitch, the switch to Arsenal allows Sterling to remain in London and, crucially, to not uproot his family. He already knows the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice from England duty, and has previously played with Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho and Kai Havertz at club level.
