Arsenal made the loan signing of former Manchester City and Liverpool winger Sterling on Deadline Day, and the 29-year-old can help to ease the workload on Saka.
Sterling, who had been informed by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca that he wouldn't get any game time for the Blues this season, had been told to look for another club to either sign for permanently or move out to on loan.
The England international ended up choosing Arsenal as his destination for the season, and told fans he was "super excited" to get started. Now, ex-Premier League star Rio Ferdinand has told Arteta to play Sterling from the start, and give 22-year-old Saka some rest on the bench off the back of another demanding campaign and summer.
Speaking on his personal YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "I just hope this reignites him [Sterling] now and he hits the ground running. I think their wide players do need help – Saka’s had so many games, it’ll be nice I think if Arteta can go, ‘you know what let me just let Saka sit out’.
"Saka won’t like it, but he'll say, 'just sit out for this one', and imagine what the output of Saka is going to be if he gets a rest here and there?
"He’s been doing this on full throttle, no rest, every game going out there giving mad performances, right? Now, he’s got a bit of back-up, you know what it’s like when a man’s got back-up, they get bigger, they feel stronger, they feel better, they deliver more."
Ferdinand also claimed that the Arsenal squad will be excited at the prospect of a Premier League winner joining their team – and it could be what they need to propel themselves to clinching the title.
Rio Ferdinand lifts lid on Arsenal squad's reaction to Raheem Sterling joining club
The 45-year-old added: "I think that’s what these Arsenal forwards will be sitting there thinking. That’s a big thing as well, what would these Arsenal players be thinking when Sterling walks in?
Arsenal unveil new signing Raheem Sterling at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 30, 2024 in London Colney, England.
Sterling could be the answer to keeping Saka fit and healthy throughout the season
"It’s important what a new signing gives to the changing room. And I think that he comes in and everyone goes, 'yes, I cannot wait for this, I’m ready'."
Sterling will potentially get a chance to showcase his talent in a red shirt after the international break, with Arsenal visiting arch-rivals Tottenham on Sunday, September 15 at 2pm.
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