Arsenal Officially Confirm The Departure Of The Englishman: Why Is It A Good Decision From The Gunners? | OneFootball

The summer season is moving quickly in London, and in the north of the city, Arsenal are beginning to shake up their squad with clear decisions. Mikel Arteta and his technical team have begun a renewal that aims directly at consolidating a competitive base for the upcoming season.

Several players are saying goodbye to the Emirates, marking the beginning of a window in which the board does not plan to stand still. Among those names is a signing that caused a stir last summer, although his time at the club ended up feeling more like a passing note than a serious bet on the future.

Arsenal Officially Confirm The Departure Of Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling will not continue at Arsenal. The club confirmed this on their official website as part of the list of departures for this transfer window. The English winger, on loan from Chelsea last season, will leave the Gunners after failing to convince enough to justify a permanent move.

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND – MAY 06: Raheem Sterling of Arsenal reacts during a training session and press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2024/25 semi final first/second leg match at Sobha Realty Training Centre on May 06, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

While he brought experience and some depth on the wings, his performance did not reach the level that many expected. In a team where Saka and Martinelli have the wings well covered, Sterling failed to break the mold or earn consistent minutes. (Source: arsenal.com).

Why Is It A Good Decision From The Gunners?

This decision, however unpopular it may seem to some, ends up being the right one. Sterling arrived with a reputation, but with little fuel. His play was predictable and, in many games, he was out of sync with the rhythm Arsenal needed to compete at the top. Arteta wants aggression, verticality, high pressure, and consistency at the top level. Sterling offered flashes of brilliance but never real solutions. The Englishman did not adapt to the physical demands or the positional system. The fans in the stands knew it, too. They applauded out of courtesy, not because of his impact.

Freeing up his spot not only opens up salary space but also clarifies the picture in the offensive zone. The club can look for younger players or those more connected to the type of play that Mikel proposes. It’s not about nostalgia for the Sterling of City. That player is no longer there.

The current Sterling seems more useful in a team that attacks less and demands less effort without the ball. That’s why his departure is not a blow; it’s a relief. The other side of this story could be read as a lesson. Arsenal tried a renowned veteran and confirmed that their policy of betting on youth and energy remains the most solid path.