Theo Walcott aims dig at Chelsea ahead of Raheem Sterling's potential Arsenal debut | OneFootball

Sterling made late loan switch to Emirates before deadline shut

Theo Walcott believes Raheem Sterling is a great signing for Arsenal after the winger joined on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.

Sterling could make his Gunners debut when they travel to Tottenham on Sunday for the North London derby.

And Walcott - who won two FA Cups during his time at the club - aimed a little dig at Chelsea when discussing the 29-year-old.

“I look at the Raheem Sterling signing and think it's absolutely a match made in heaven because Raheem is now in a stable group that dominates the ball and enjoys playing their football,” Walcott told BBC Sport.

“There's no more chopping and changing managers or uncertainty of whether he is or isn't going to play. There is definitely a togetherness within the whole group.”

Raheem Sterling worked with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta when the pair were at Manchester City

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Chelsea paid £47.5million to sign Sterling from Manchester City in July 2022, but the manager when he joined Thomas Tuchel was soon replaced by Graham Potter.

Sterling also worked under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, before being frozen out by new boss Enzo Maresca this summer.

“He's going to be able to take a little bit of pressure off of [Bukayo] Saka because Saka plays a lot of football. He'll put pressure on [Leandro] Trossard and [Gabriel] Martinelli to get in the starting 11.

“He's a winner and is now in an environment where he is loved.”