Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola respond to Raheem Sterling transfer links

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has ruled out any “surprises” at the end of the summer to transfer window as the Gunners prepare to pounce on the opportunity when it comes.

As it happens, Arsenal are being linked with Raheem Sterling, who is among a number of players who are not in manager Enzo Maresca’s plans at Chelsea.

“You have to [be ready to move]because anything can go both ways, especially last week. You have to be ready, especially last week, and be prepared because many surprises can appear, for many different reasons… and we are ready,” said Arteta, via Arsenal.com.

“Everybody’s going to be in a different situation. We knew what we wanted to do, what we could do, and what was important, and we had to put those two things together in the end.”

Arteta has the added benefit of working with Sterling in the past, during his time as assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and knows the former England international better than most.

“My time with him was extraordinary,” explained the Arsenal boss.

“I think we built a strong relationship together. He was incredible when we worked together and he taught me a lot about individuals and how players think, how we support them and help them. He is someone I really have strong feelings for.”

Arsenal are not the only Premier League club to be linked with an opportunistic Sterling swoop, although Guardiola has played down the possibility of Manchester City launching a bid without rejecting it.

“He’s a Chelsea player, absolutely. So I wish him all the best. If you ask me this question when Gundo is at Barcelona, ​​the answer is the same,” said Guardiola, referring to City’s unexpected reunion with Ilkay Gundogan in recent days.

Crystal Palace are a left-field proposition for Sterling but, once again, they have been relegated.

“Raheem Sterling is an amazing player, but it doesn’t mean he will be a Crystal Palace player. He is a top player but I don’t know what will happen to him,” said Eagles manager Oliver Glasner.

Sterling has scored 19 goals in 81 games in two seasons with Chelsea. In previous matches with Liverpool and Manchester City since he was 17 years old, Sterling has scored 123 goals in 379 Premier League matches so far.

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