Arsenal secured the services of former Manchester City and Liverpool star Sterling on deadline day after Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made it clear that his playing time would be non-existent this season.
Sterling put pen to paper on a season-long loan with the Gunners, expressing his eagerness to fans as he declared he was "super excited" to get started.
Former Manchester United Rio Ferdinand believes Sterling offers Arsenal something extra in their title challenge this season and has called on Arteta to temporarily drop Saka for his new team-mate.
Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: "I just hope this [the loan deal] 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 them to clinch the title.
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?
"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.'"
0 Comments