Arsenal need to Remove Raheem Sterling from Wish List
By Josh Sippie
![Jun 19, 2014; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; England forward Raheem Sterling (19) passes the ball against Uruguay midfielder Cristian Rodriguez (7) during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Corinthians. Uruguay defeated England 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Jun 19, 2014; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; England forward Raheem Sterling (19) passes the ball against Uruguay midfielder Cristian Rodriguez (7) during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Corinthians. Uruguay defeated England 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/028833f5e3c416151905914e8d533acf6b78a50a2231dc3d92e52f15fd775db1.jpg)
Raheem Sterling is supposedly leaving Liverpool this summer and the speedy 20-year old Englishman will be looking for some premium real estate to make his home. Arsenal was one such location, but the possibilities of such a move have seriously deteriorated since Liverpool demanded a ridiculous return for him.
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The Daily Star indicates that Liverpool want both Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs for Raheem Sterling. Simply put, that’s laughable. Sterling may be younger but Theo Walcott is a much better player and Gibbs still has a lot to give. He’s young and should be first-choice left back.
Ray Parlour is in agreement, stating that Raheem Sterling wouldn’t even work at Arsenal. He’s quoted by the Daily Star as saying: “Raheem Sterling, as a 20-year-old – people are always looking at potential and how good could he be. But you couldn’t have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Sterling – I don’t think that would work.” Parlour didn’t even include Serge Gnabry in that equation and he’s ready to burst down the door to get into Arsenal’s starting XI.
I wasn’t completely opposed to a Raheem Sterling switch to Arsenal at first, but it’s becoming more and more silly the further the rumor hangs around. He’s way too overpriced and since he’s made it clear that he wants out, literally every team is knocking on his door for a signature.
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It’s not worth it. Like Parlour said, Arsenal have a surplus of speedy wingers: Walcott, Ox, Gnabry, Alexis. And that doesn’t even include the Aaron Ramsey’s and the Jack Wilshere’s that need to be on the pitch too. Arsenal’ attacking options are incredibly strong. They don’t need to be breaking their backs over one guy and knowing Arsene Wenger, they won’t. Alexis, Walcott and the Ox are already better than Raheem Sterling anyways and Serge Gnabry is oozing with nearly as much potential.
Statistically speaking, Raheem Sterling has only scored 23 goals in 124 appearances for Liverpool anyway. That’s not the kind of return Arsenal should be aiming for when it comes to upgrading the team. In order to displace the established Theo Walcott or Alexis or push back the gobs of potential in the Ox and Gnabry, we’d have to acquire a seriously devastating winger and that isn’t going to happen.
Arsenal don’t need as many signings as we think this summer. The squad is in excellent shape as it is and if the starting XI for next year comes out and looks the exact same as the starting XI that finished this year, I think we should all be incredibly happy for it.
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