Arsenal: Mikel Arteta ready for transfer window 'surprise' amid Raheem Sterling links

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Evening Standard

·23 août 2024

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta ready for transfer window 'surprise' amid Raheem Sterling links

The Gunners boss is ready for a curveball in the final week of the summer window

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will be alert during the final week of the transfer window as “a lot of surprises can come”, but has ruled out making a move for Raheem Sterling.

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The Gunners have so far made two major signings this summer, with goalkeeper David Raya making his loan move from Brentford permanent and Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori joining from Bologna.

Arsenal are close to adding Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino to their squad, but Arteta has revealed further business could still happen.

“We have to [be ready] because anything can happen both ways,” he said. “You have to be ready and especially in the last week.

You have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons and we are prepared

Mikel Arteta

“You have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons and we are prepared.

“Everybody will be in a different position. We knew what we wanted to do and what we could do. That is important.

“You have to put those two things together at the end and then [see] what is available that can strength the squad and make the team better for the short-, medium- and long-term, which is important.

“Another thing, very important, is to look at our academy. It has to be looked at in the right way because now we have some very important talents coming up there and we have to create some space for them kids to come very close to the first team.”

Raheem Sterling is looking for a new club in the final days of the window

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One “surprise” that looks unlikely to happen, though, is Sterling moving to Arsenal from Chelsea.

The England winger is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and is looking for a new club before next week’s deadline.

Arteta worked with Sterling at City, when the Arsenal boss was an assistant to Pep Guardiola, but said he was not tempted by a reunion in north London.

He said: “No, but I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional, we built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at the time we were together and he taught me a lot as well.

“About individuals, how they play and how we give them support and help them. He’s someone I have a really strong feeling about.”