Edu admits Arsenal didn’t initially plan summer signing

Edu Gaspar has admitted that signing Raheem Sterling on loan wasn’t initially part of Arsenal’s summer plans, but an opportunity they decided to take.

Arsenal completed a late deadline-day deal for Raheem Sterling on Friday night, eventually confirming the move at 01:45 BST on Saturday morning.

Sterling joins on a season-long loan from Chelsea, with no option or obligation to buy, and by all accounts, Arsenal have got a good deal.

The Gunners aren’t paying a loan fee, and they’re reportedly paying Sterling £100k per week, less than half of his Chelsea wages.

Yet despite getting such favourable terms, Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar has admitted that the move wasn’t planned long in advance. Instead, the Gunners were simply taking the opportunity that presented itself.

“To be fair we never planned really to sign him when we started the transfer window, just to be very transparent, for different reasons,” Edu told Arsenal.com.

“But we always say to everyone that you have to be prepared for every single scenario. So when that opportunity came to me, and I checked the squad, I checked how he plays, and spoke to Mikel of course.

“I spoke to Tim [Lewis], our vice-chairman, to check if everyone is comfortable for the step we are going to take, and it makes a lot of sense.

“It makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I’m pretty sure he is going to add a lot in the squad. He has experience, he understands more than anyone the league, he’s played in the Champions League many times.

“He won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad and I feel really happy to see someone like him in our squad.”

Arsenal had other summer targets, including Nico Williams of Athletic Club, who was long reported to be the club’s priority signing in wide areas.

But when those deals didn’t come off, with Williams opting to remain with his current club for another season, Arsenal pivoted to a player who was available.

Sterling had fallen out of favour with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, and he was looking for a new club.

A permanent move probably would have been favourable, but Sterling will see this season as an opportunity to prove he still deserves to be playing for a top side.

After the international break, he’ll get his first opportunity to debut for Arsenal in the north London derby on September 15th.