Theo Walcott hails Arsenal summer signing as ‘a match made in heaven’

Theo Walcott believes Raheem Sterling’s summer move to Arsenal is a ‘match made in heaven’.

After being sacked by new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, Sterling signed a loan deal with London rivals Arsenal in a bid to play more minutes.

Sterling joins his former Manchester City boss Arteta at the Emirates Stadium and brings with him a wealth of experience as a veteran of 123 goals and 62 assists in 379 Premier League appearances for Cityzens, Liverpool and Chelsea.

The 82-capped England international is yet to make his Arsenal debut, but should be fit for this weekend’s big North London derby against Tottenham.

Sterling and Arsenal ‘a match made in heaven’, says Walcott

Walcott knows all about the expectations of playing in Arsenal’s attack after scoring 108 goals in 397 games for the club in all competitions between 2006 and 2017.

The 35-year-old – who retired from football in August 2023 – believes Sterling and Arsenal are a ‘match made in heaven’ due to their versatility and winning mentality.

“I look at the signing of Raheem Sterling and I think it’s a match made in heaven because Raheem is now in a stable team that has the ball and enjoys playing their football,” Walcott told the BBC’s Football News Show.

“There is no more cutting and changing managers or not being sure if he will play or not. There is definitely a bond between the whole team.

“The good thing about Raheem is that he can play in any of these three positions up front or in that 10 position behind the striker. He will be able to take a little pressure off Saka because Saka plays a lot of football. He will put pressure on Trossard and Martinelli to get into the starting 11.

“He is a winner and now he is in a place where he is loved.”