Raheem Sterling has taken a brand new shirt number in his trophy-laden career, becoming Arsenal’s new no.30.
The forward joined the Gunners on deadline day, moving from Chelsea on a season-long loan.
There was much speculation that Sterling would become the Gunners’ new no.10, given that the shirt had just been vacated by Emile Smith Rowe, who left to join Fulham.
However, the 29-year-old instead takes 30, having previously worn 31 at the start of his career with Liverpool.
Sterling left the Reds in 2015 and became Manchester City’s no.7, winning trophy-after-trophy alongside assistant manager-turned Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
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The 82-cap England international then joined Chelsea in 2022 as their no.17, then no.7, before being left out of their bulging squad to start the 2024/25 campaign.
Leaving the no.10 unfilled means Sterling doesn’t follow in the footsteps of legends to wear the shirt in north London like Dennis Bergkamp, Paul Merson as well as more recent stars Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere.
Discussing his move after a deadline day where it looked more likely he’d join Manchester United, Sterling told Arsenal.com: “I’m buzzing. It’s one where we left it late but it’s one I was hoping for.
“Looking at everything, I’m just like, ‘this is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.
“It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That’s exactly how I am as a person.
“Each year you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully I can gel really well with the boys and get going.
“It’s time now to meet the boys, get settled in and hopefully now see some game time and make my mark.”
