Ian Wright has told Raheem Sterling he was ‘praying’ that he was going to join Arsenal prior to his summer transfer to Chelsea, as he told Premier League Productions (31/10/22 at 2:05 pm).
The England International secured a £50 million transfer (BBC Sport) from Manchester City to Chelsea during the 2022 summer transfer window – but there was also talk about Arsenal possibly being in line for his talents.
Rather than head to north London, Sterling moved to Stamford Bridge, but two of his teammates, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are now flying at the top of the Premier League table.
Given that Mikel Arteta had previously worked with these players at the Etihad, then he was going to raid them for their best talents, at one point.
And when the likes of Sterling are on the market, then many would be standing in line to try and secure his signature.
Nonetheless, whilst Wright was doing an interview with Sterling, he made sure that he got one thing clear and out of the way with the 27-year-old.
“I have got to ask you, with Arsenal coming up at the weekend, I was praying that there is truth in the talk about you coming,” said Wright.
“But it didn’t happen – I got so psyched up about thinking of you in the red kit.”
STERLING TO SPOIL ARSENAL’S PARTY?
It has been a very, very long time since Arsenal fans were this high and excited about their team.
They should have every reason to be dreaming as big as they are because, not since their title-winning days under Arsene Wenger, have they performed so well.
But Chelsea, with Sterling, who has eight career goals against the Gunners, might want to put a few dents in the road their London rivals are going down.
Graham Potter’s side were thrashed 4-1 by Brighton last time out, but given the quality of players at Stamford Bridge, then too much shouldn’t be read into that because the weekend encounter will be mouthwatering.
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