Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that it took just 10 seconds to convince him to sign Raheem Sterling on deadline day because he saw a “hunger” in the 29-year-old winger.
After falling out of favor at Stamford Bridge, Sterling, 29, left the Blues in the dying hours of transfer deadline day last month to join the Gunners on loan.
Arteta spoke with the winger on the phone, and the Spanish manager was almost immediately certain that the Chelsea star would be a great addition to his team.
Both men had worked together when the Arsenal boss was assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Furthermore, the 42-year-old coach is certain that the England international “really wants it” and that their reunion at the Emirates would be productive.
Mikel Arteta on his conversation with Raheem Sterling before Arsenal move
Arteta said, as quoted by The Sun,
“The first call I had with him, I knew in the first 10 seconds we have to bring him because he really wanted it.
“That was my only question mark: ‘What stage is he at in his career?’
“After 10 seconds, I knew already before the next questions that we needed him here.
“What I see is hunger. He’s a player that wants to play every minute of every game.
“You can feel it walking through the door. We are better with him. He’s going to make us better.”
Arsenal will face local rivals Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, and Sterling could make his debut for the club in the match.
The former Manchester City attacker, who has scored six EPL goals against Sunday’s opponents, will be eager to impress his new manager and possibly find the net again as the Gunners aim for their third league win this season.
