Topics: Fan Reactions, Raheem Sterling, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Gabriel Martinelli, Chelsea
Arsenal fans have already noticed one player 'looking so much better' after training footage of Raheem Sterling went viral.
The summer transfer window produced plenty of twists and turns, but no deal was as unexpected as Raheem Sterling's loan move to Arsenal from Chelsea.
The English winger took part in Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States, but was then left out of his side's Premier League opening day defeat to Manchester City.
Manager Enzo Maresca then told Sterling that he would struggle for minutes if he stayed at Stamford Bridge this season, prompting a frantic search to find him a new home before the window closed.
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That new home turned out to be London rivals Arsenal, who signed Sterling on loan for the rest of the season with Chelsea paying the bulk of his £325,000 per week wages.
The 29-year-old could make his Arsenal debut in the North London derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur after the international break, and fans are already getting excited about what he might produce in a Gunners shirt.
Footage of Sterling training with his new teammates has gone viral on social media, with fans noticing the sharpness of his footwork and dribbling ability.
In addition, some fans think Sterling's arrival has lifted the level of another winger who struggled last season.
Gabriel Martinelli enjoyed a superb 2022-23 campaign with Mikel Arteta's side, but last season he failed to kick on and struggled to impact games as much.
One complaint fans had last season was that the Brazilian winger has a habit of dribbling with his head down, but some think that Sterling's arrival has already changed that.
Reacting to training footage of Martinelli dribbling with his head up in order to find Sterling, one fan wrote on X: "Sterling's been at the club for 13 seconds and Martinelli's head is already up."
Another fan commented: "Sterling doesn’t need much time to remind everyone why he's a threat—guess Martinelli’s feeling that pressure real quick!"
The two players are expected to compete for the starting left wing spot, with Bukayo Saka locked in on the right flank.
