Martin Keown tells Arsenal to avoid signing unwanted Chelsea star

Martin Keown has urged Arsenal not to try and sign Raheem Sterling, insisting the Chelsea outcast would not suit Mikel Arteta’s style of play.

Sterling’s Chelsea career appears all but over after he was left out of the Premier League opener against Manchester City and then banished from first-team training.

Maresca initially played down Sterling’s absence but confirmed earlier this week that the Englishman was not his preferred type of winger and admitted he should leave the club if he wants regular minutes.

Sterling is now believed to be seeking a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge but would prefer to stay in the Premier League.

Arsenal were tentatively linked with a move for Sterling 12 months ago, but Keown believes that the Gunners should pass up the opportunity to sign the 29-year-old now.

When asked if he would want Sterling at the Emirates, Keown told talkSPORT: ‘No, I don’t think I would [take him].

‘I do rate this guy as a very good player. But I think, when he played for Man City, he did his best work off the ball.

‘When you look what Pep did, it was all off-the-ball movement. When he has the ball, he does too much and he doesn’t get past his man.’

Pressed on who should be looking to sign Sterling, Keown responded: ‘[Aston] Villa might not be a bad fit for him. [Unai] Emery is very hands-on and knows exactly what he wants from a player. He might suit their style.’

Paul Scholes, meanwhile, suggested that Arsenal should give serious consideration to a late move for Sterling to provide them with an additional option off the bench.

‘I think he’d improve your [Arsenal’s] squad,’ the Manchester United legend said on The Overlap with Sky Bet. ‘I don’t think he’d improve the team, I don’t think he’d be a starter. 

‘But then again I do think you need those numbers, you need 16 or 17 players. It’s ok having 12, 13, 14 that are good, and if they stay fit then great you’ve got a good chance, but you still have to go deeper into your squad. 

‘And I think Sterling would be a good squad player for them.’ 

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