Mikel Arteta reveals the one doubt he had about signing Raheem Sterling for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta revealed helium had 1 uncertainty astir signing for Raheem Sterling but knew helium had to bring the Chelsea winger to Arsenal wrong 10 2nd of speaking to him.

The 29-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by Chelsea successful the summertime with Enzo Maresca leaving him successful nary uncertainty that helium would not get playing clip astatine Stamford Bridge.

Sterling looked destined to play retired the archetypal fractional of the play grooming with the reserves until Arsenal and Arteta came to his rescue during the last hours of the transportation window.

The erstwhile Manchester City winger enjoyed arguably the champion spell of his vocation erstwhile Arteta was Pep Guardiola’s No.2 astatine the Etihad Stadium and the Spaniard is assured Sterling inactive has plentifulness to offer.

‘Obviously successful his idiosyncratic beingness a batch of things person changed since we were together,’ The archetypal telephone I had with him, I knew consecutive distant aft 10 seconds, we had to bring him due to the fact that helium truly wanted it.

‘And that was my lone question mark, what signifier is helium astatine successful his career? I knew aft 10 seconds – bring him here.’

Arteta added: ‘I spot his hunger – he’s a subordinate who wants to play each infinitesimal of each game, and erstwhile that’s not the case, he’s not happy. He loves football, it’s what helium likes doing each azygous time and I spot that.

‘His commitment, the level of vigor that he’s bringing to the team, and the prime is simply a large boost. You tin consciousness that successful the players arsenic good erstwhile helium walked done the door, we are amended with him. He’s going to marque america better.

‘He has his quality and the recognition to that is his, and the players that he’s got astir him. You request that erstwhile you are 1 of the beforehand players.

‘Certainly, he’s had that intuition, that volition and the quality to bash that and I’m definite he’s going to interaction the team.’

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