Arsenal and Chelsea legend Emmanuel Petit has branded Raheem Sterling a panic buy for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners brought Sterling in on loan from Chelsea late in the summer after the England international was axed out of Enzo Maresca’s senior team, but he has made little impact at the Emirates Stadium so far.
Petit hinted that Sterling may be past his prime and likely wasn’t Arsenal’s top choice, suggesting Arteta had actually hoped to sign Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger Williams instead.
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Arsenal legend Petit on Sterling
Speaking with Instant Casino, as quoted by Metro, Petit discussed Sterling’s struggles, saying,
“Raheem Sterling was a panic buy.
“For me, Mikel Arteta knows that he’s missing players, numbers in his squad, quality players in terms of rotation.
“He knows that, so at the end of the transfer market during the summer, he knew that he had no choice just to get Sterling because he didn’t want to put the big money on the table for other players.
The former French midfielder then suggested Sterling is past his best, saying,
Sterling has been living a nightmare for years now. I think Sterling is probably one of the best examples of what life in the Premier League can do to a player that has tastes success after success after success.
Sterling has managed just one goal and one assist in eight appearances for Arsenal this season.
