'Once I heard that': Ian Wright shares the exact moment he knew that Raheem Sterling was signing for Arsenal

Arsenal struck two late deals on deadline day as Edu made sure the final day of the transfer window didn’t just pass by at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had already secured three deals after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last season.

David Raya signed on permanently before Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino completed rather protracted moves to Arsenal.

Arsenal already know all about Raya whilst defender Calafiori has impressed Gary Neville.

Unfortunately, new midfielder Merino is now out through injury and may not return until towards November.

Arsenal then struck two more deals on deadline day with Edu finishing the window with a real flourish.

Ian Wright on Raheem Sterling to Arsenal

Goalkeeper Neto was the less headline-grabbing of Arsenal’s two deadline day additions.

The Brazilian goalkeeper arrived on loan from Bournemouth after Aaron Ramsdale completed his move to Southampton.

Neto will serve as cover and competition for David Raya but the big move arrived late in the day.

Arsenal struck a loan deal to sign Raheem Sterling with the winger completing a last-gasp escape from Chelsea.

The Blues exiled Sterling from Enzo Maresca’s plans and wanted him to leave before the deadline.

Arsenal pounced with a cheap deal to take Sterling on loan and aren’t even paying half of his wages whilst paying no loan fee and not committing to any permanent deal.

Ian Wright has now offered his view on the deal and admitted that one development let him know that Sterling was joining.

Arsenal allowed Reiss Nelson to leave with the winger eventually picking Fulham over Ipswich Town.

Wright has told The Kelly and Wrighty Show (02/09) that Nelson’s exit was a clear sign that Sterling was on his way to Arsenal.

“It makes a lot of sense, especially knowing Mikel and knowing how Mikel plays,” said Wright. “Once I heard that Reiss Nelson was going to go to Fulham, Ipswich or Fulham, once I heard that was done, I said then ‘I think Raheem is coming, it’s going to be done’.

“When you’re looking at his age, his capabilities, the manager he’s worked with before, the state of play, he will know everything in respects of being a rotated player – he had that at City,” he added.

Sterling versatility perfect for Arsenal

Sterling maybe didn’t hit the heights expected of him at Chelsea but he has been a top Premier League performer for many years.

Mikel Arteta knows Sterling well from their time together at Manchester City and their reunion should help Arsenal in the final third.

Gabriel Martinelli’s form has caused concern and Arteta seems to like using Leandro Trossard off the bench.

Sterling could feature on the left flank for Arsenal but has also played on the right side in the past and can offer valuable cover for Bukayo Saka.

Arteta may even be tempted to play Sterling as a false nine at times, such is his versatility in attack.

Over the course of the season, Sterling should play an important role across various competition and this late deal may look like a masterstroke come the end of the campaign.