Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Man City’s Raheem Sterling makes sense
For the majority of last campaign, there was one evident thing at the Emirates Stadium which eventually cost them a European place. Their attack.
Even though the Gunners boasted off an impressive defense, shipping in just 39 goals in 38 Premier League games, their numbness at the other end of the pitch is what made the 2020/21 campaign a hard-watch for the club’s faithful.
The DailyMail reported that Arsenal have shown interest in Raheem Sterling as well as Riyad Mahrez.
A deal for Sterling makes more sense than Mahrez due to the fact that the Englishman is four years younger than the Algerian. Arsenal also boast players (Nicolas Pepe) of the similar ilk to Mahrez.
Acquiring the services of Sterling can give whole new sharpness to the Gunners’ knife at the final third. They don’t boast a player in their squad who is as consistent in contributing to goals/assists than the City man.
Although a few supporters might argue that signing the England international will eat up the precious minutes of their prodigal player Gabriel Martinelli. They should also consider asking themselves as where the club would look for answers if the Brazilian gets injured.
The former Liverpool man has always had a good end product in his career. At Liverpool, the 26-year-old had 23 goals and 25 assists in 129 appearances. Sterling’s move to City saw him become one of the best players in his position. The winger currently has a Goals/Assists ratio of an impressive 114/87 at the Etihad.
In the 2020/21 season, Sterling completed 0.50 SCA (completed dribbles which lead to a shot attempt) per 90 minutes, which places him in the top 11% of the wingers in the Premier League.
His GCA (Dribbles that lead to a goal) number also stood at 0.11 per 90, which placed him comfortably at the top 5%. While the Englishman achieved 4.44 dribbles per 90 on average. The Englishman’s figures of Passes under Pressure and Carries into Penalty Area also stood at an admirable 7.91 and 2.20.
Imagine a Gabriel Martinelli whose end product is pretty good. Whose decision making is impressive and who does not need any time for development. Although both players are similar types of players in terms of dribbling, Sterling can make Arsenal massively better from the get-go.
Moreover, the England international is a versatile player who can be deployed at several positions such as the right wing, left wing and even at center-forward. Transfermarkt values him around £81.00m.
If the Blues are looking at a fee anywhere close to it, then Arsenal should keep out of any deal. But if the Manchester club agree to let him go for a cut-price deal, then the London club acquiring his services makes sense.
Homegrown. Young. World Class. Experienced.
He is exactly the pedigree of player which can take the North London outfit where they envision themselves to be in.
Raheem Sterling, fantastic & electrifying player, his addition will surely improve our squad hugely but the big question is……. Are we ready to cough out the funds to lure him to the Emirate should the player decide to make the move?
The Stats is one thing, the Person is something else. But if the kid comes to Emirates and start falling for penalties in every game… well, maybe we will love him. Why should Arsenal only have 6 penalties a year when Leicester and Man United have twice as many? Sterling can be our own Martial or VAR-dy.
Arteta will be foolish o sign sterling. We need strength in the middle of the park and that will give freedom to the strikers to stay in their positions and goals will come. If we can get a good PRESSOR like Bissouma to partner Partey and then Buendia to compete for places with ESR we will be scoring goals.
Our problem was that our attack build up was very slow and we allow oppositions to sit deep making it difficult to penetrate. Also off the ball we defend too deep because we lack the stamina to press up high and get the ball and have a quick transition like other big teams.
A good example is how Chelsea set up against a formidable city side in the finals. They succeeded because of Kante’s aggression in the middle. Our attack is good but we need to be quicker in the press.
Apt. I’d totally agree. We need strong enforcers in the middle; technical yet committed to do the dirty jobs where needed. Locatelli and Boussouma easily comes to mind. Buy both. Upgrade our wing backs and we are good to go. Our forward line is okay already. Ijs
Keep well away from Sterling.
Another Willian story.
We need players in other positions.
Sterling is similar to Willian as well.
Arteta and his tactics will more than gradually degrade him and we’ll turn on him like we did on Willian. – while simultaneously suffocating Martinelli’s playing time.
He’d rather stay at city if he’s considering Arteta’s Arsenal for his sake.
For me Sterling is just another Gervinho. Always trying to take on THAT extra man instead of passing it. I’ve seen him run into so many blind alleys , he’s just frustrating.
Stirling’s stats were compiled at Manchester City, a club loaded with creative, top quality players. At Arsenal, without that type of service there is the danger that he could become an anonymous, unproductive ghost similar to what Aubamayang has turned into.
hahaha, gotta love these comments calling sterling overrated. how many league titles does the man have again? In a bad season he had ten goals which is more than most our attackers. Season before that he scored 20 goals! You guys have some bad takes on Sterling to compare him to Gervinho and Willian. Sterling is clear of every single winger we’ve had post-Sanchez.