Raheem Sterling: Martin Keown says new Arsenal signing could be ‘trump card’ under manager Mikel Arteta

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Raheem Sterling made a dramatic loan move to Arsenal in the early hours of Saturday morning, departing Chelsea to reunite with former Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta. Speaking before TNT Sports' live coverage of Arsenal v Brighton at the Emirates, former Gunner Martin Keown said Arteta could be the man to lead Sterling back to his best form. "He could be the trump card," Keown said.

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes that Raheem Sterling could be a “trump card” for Mikel Arteta this season after the Gunners duo were reunited on deadline day.

Sterling moved across London from Chelsea in the closing hours of the transfer window to join the Gunners on a season-long loan deal.

The move will see the England international work under Arteta for the second time in his career, having enjoyed great success while the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.

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Sterling has struggled for form since making a £50 million move to Chelsea in July 2022 and failed to make England’s Euro 2024 squad, but Keown explained why Arteta could get the best out of him once again.

“When [Sterling] was playing for Man City, he did his best work running off the ball,” Keown said before TNT Sports’ live coverage of Arsenal v Brighton.

“They were finding him in those little pockets with that little ball inside the full-back.

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“When he runs with the ball, he’s not as good a player. If you don’t manage him well enough, you don’t get the results.

“I think for Arteta, he could be the trump card for Arsenal.

“Got to get him back in the fold quickly and work with him, he’s come in really late, but it’s a really interesting and intriguing signing.”

Arteta himself joined TNT Sports before the match at the Emirates and was asked for his reaction to the late deal that has bolstered his attack.

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“We all know the qualities. We have managed to bring in a top talent, a player with a lot of experience who is hopefully going to impact the team in a good way,” Arteta said.

The Gunners boss was then presented with the impressive goal numbers Sterling contributed following Arteta’s arrival at City, and how they tailed off following his exit, but played down the suggestion he had the magic touch.

“He’s got these numbers because he was playing under a great manager [Guardiola], with great players around him that generate so much for him,” Arteta said.

“If you do that, he’s going to score goals and create issues for the opponent, and that’s what we have to do as a team.”

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