TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand says Raheem Sterling’s move to Arsenal will strengthen the Gunners’ chances of winning the Premier League this season.
The 29-year-old arrived on loan from Chelsea just before the transfer deadline and, speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said that the player’s experience will be important if Mikel Arteta’s side are to finish top of the table:
“He knows the path to trophies and that is invaluable. How Chelsea have let that out the door I don’t know, it’s crazy. This is a marriage made in heaven for Arsenal. It’s a perfect fit for me. Raheem has something to prove, too.”
“I think he will deliver there and I’ll say it again, I think Arsenal will win the league this year and this signing only reinforces that thought.”
There is no downside to signing Sterling
It is believed that Arsenal have not paid a loan fee for the England international, while they are paying less than 50% of his wages. With there being no obligation to buy the player either, they can send him back to Stamford Bridge next summer if things don’t work out.
For the Gunners, it’s basically a free hit due to the terms that were agreed, and Sterling will also have something to prove after being frozen out by Chelsea.
What are the bookies saying about Arsenal’s title credentials?
While Ferdinand is predicting that Arteta’s men will beat Manchester City to win the Premier League this season, the bookmakers are not quite so certain.
City are evens at some betting firms, putting them ahead of Arsenal who are currently 2/1. Liverpool’s odds have shortened after Arne Slot’s side won 3-0 against Ferdinand’s former team at Old Trafford on Sunday evening. The Reds are now 4/1 at Sky Bet and Betway.
