Arsenal have again been linked with Manchester City star Raheem Sterling with Mikel Arteta seemingly keen to give him a key role at the Emirates Stadium.
The Telegraph report that Arsenal are ready to make a move for Sterling this summer if City show any indication that he will be available.
Arteta worked with Sterling during his time on the Manchester City coaching staff before taking the Arsenal job in 2019.
Pep Guardiola actually highlighted Arteta’s close work with Sterling as a reason for the England man’s improvement.
Rumours of Arsenal wanting Sterling have been swirling for a while now with City potentially facing a tough decision.
Sterling’s contract expires in 2023 and if they can’t agree a new deal with him soon, City may need to sell the winger who cost £49million in 2015.
Arsenal are seemingly waiting with intent, ready to pounce for Sterling if City do decide to cash in this summer.
Sterling has only started 22 Premier League games this season but has still managed 12 goals and three assists.
Intriguingly, this report claims that Arsenal would give Sterling a key role in Arteta’s side, even the ‘focal point’ as this report states.
Sterling is mostly seen as a winger and you have to wonder how Arsenal would give him that key role.
Bukayo Saka is the clear starter down the right flank whilst Gabriel Martinelli is showing huge potential down the left.
Would Arteta want to use Sterling as a striker? We have seen that for Arsenal and England in the past and the Gunners need a striker.
Alexander Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both out of contract this summer and look set to leave Arsenal.
Sterling may therefore be viewed as a striker in this Arsenal side, which could be appealing to the man branded a ‘top player’ by Gareth Southgate.
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