'That was it': Mikel Arteta shares what Raheem Sterling said to him when he first called about joining Arsenal
Today at 08:45 AM
Arsenal pulled off one of the most dramatic deadline day deals in recent memory this summer as Raheem Sterling arrived at the Emirates on loan at the last minute.
The winger joined Arsenal in the final knockings of the transfer window, and the deal happened in incredibly dramatic fashion.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Mikel Arteta has now opened up on how this deal was done, sharing details of his first phone conversation with Sterling.
Of course, Arteta knew Sterling from his time at Manchester City, and the manager says that the winger immediately told him on the phone that he was dreaming of getting this call to move to Arsenal.
What Raheem Sterling told Mikel Arteta
Arteta shared details of his conversation with Sterling.
“It’s very simple. I spoke to Edu and he told me about the possibility, that it was real and that it could happen," Arteta said.
“He asked me what my thoughts were and obviously I was already extremely positive, but I had a question and I thought it would be resolved in the first 15 to 20 seconds of my conversation on the phone with Raheem.
“It got resolved a little earlier than that because I took the phone and he said he was dreaming of this call. That was it.
“We discussed a few other things but when I see a player that is genuinely willing to come to the club, prove a point and be part of something that he has seen from the outside that is motivating and inspiring him, I said he needs to be here.”
Arsenal move was perfect for Sterling
Sterling was dreaming of getting this move to Arsenal, and it's not hard to understand why.
Indeed, in many ways, this was the perfect move for Sterling to make.
The winger's family was settled in London, he knows the manager well, and he knows a number of players from his history with Chelsea, Manchester City and England.
This was such a logical move, and now, it's time for Sterling to show that Arsenal were right to bring him in at the end of the transfer window.
Who knows? Perhaps Sterling could be the difference maker when Arsenal face his former club, Manchester City, this weekend.
