Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta rarely ever gets his signings wrong.
The Spaniard’s talent ID is exceptional, and almost every player he has signed over the years has proved to be a success in the famous red and white.
There are, however, a few exceptions. Willian was an awful signing a few years ago, even though he joined the club on a free transfer.
Another terrible signing was made in last summer’s transfer window. Sam Allardyce has had his say on that move.
Sam Allardyce thinks Raheem Sterling made a mistake joining Arsenal
Arsenal signing Raheem Sterling was not on anyone’s bingo card when the transfer window opened last summer.
The Gunners were linked with big names like Nico Williams, Michael Olise and Raphinha, but after failing to land any of their key targets, Edu brought Sterling in on loan on transfer deadline day.
The Englishman, previously hailed as ‘brilliant’ by Conor Gallagher (BBC), has had a really poor season. He has only played 1080 minutes of football in all competitions, but he has failed to produce any meaningful performances.
Allardyce has had his say about Sterling, and he believes that the Chelsea loanee made a big mistake accepting a ‘squad player’ role at a top club like Arsenal instead of a going to a smaller side where he would’ve played more often.
He said: “The thing with Raheem is that he would’ve been better going to a lesser club and playing every week rather than going to Arsenal, who are a bit bigger than Chelsea.
“His chances of getting into the Arsenal team, for me, were less than the chances of getting in the Chelsea side.
“Obviously, the manager (Mikel Arteta) must have told him or convinced him that ‘you’re coming in as a squad player’ and he was happy with that.
“If I were him, I’d have gone to a team where I would be playing every week and be scoring and be the leading goalscorer this year. That would evolve into a permanent move to the club.”
What’s next for Raheem Sterling?
Sterling was once one of the best players in the Premier League.
The England international won several trophies with Manchester City and played a key role under Pep Guardiola season after season.
Since leaving the Etihad, however, Sterling’s career has gone downhill, and Arsenal will not be saving him again this summer.
The Gunners are expected to send Sterling back to Chelsea, and it is very likely that he will be put on the market by the Blues as well.
It will be interesting to see where he will end up before the start of next season.
