Mikel Arteta: Raheem Sterling At His Best Can Compete With Any Player In This League

By The Editor
on 19th October 2024

Arteta bangs the drum for Sterling…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed Raheem Sterling to work his way back into the England squad after reaching new levels in training as he reaches peak fitness.

Sterling joined the club on deadline day, having been banished from the Chelsea set-up, where he was unable to train properly. The 29-year-old played some pre-season minutes in July but has been struggling for fitness.

After starting our last Premier League game against Southampton before the international break, Arteta has been impressed with the winger’s intensity in training in recent weeks.

With his former boss Thomas Tuchel now announced as the new England manager, Arteta feels a fit and firing Sterling can compete with any player in his position in the Premier League.

“If that’s his desire and what he wants, for sure,” Arteta told the press when asked if Sterling can reignite his England career.

“He’s in a really good moment right now – I was watching the last few training sessions and he was exceptional.

“Raheem at his best can compete with any player in this league for sure.”

It’s nice to see that Arteta’s belief in Sterling hasn’t wavered after seeing him up-close having worked with him during his blistering best at Manchester City.

The Spaniard revealed that a quick phone call with Sterling convinced him to pursue the deal – but he could never know the version of the player he’d be getting until seeing him in training.

With doubts surrounding the fitness of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka ahead of our trip to Bournemouth, there’s a good chance Sterling will get back-to-back Premier League starts for the first time this season.