Mikel Arteta says Raheem Sterling is a player he has a ‘really strong feeling about’ and was taught ‘a lot’ by him at Manchester City.
Mail Sport revealed on Sunday that Sterling was ‘seeking clarity’ on his situation at Chelsea after being dropped from their matchday squad to face Man City.
The forward was also left out of the Blues’ squad yesterday in the 2-0 win over Servette. Manager Enzo Maresca has since indicated to Sterling that he has no future at the club.
Arteta worked with Sterling when he was Man City assistant manager between 2016 and 2019.
When asked if he had a temptation to call him in light of his tricky situation, the Spaniard said: ‘No, but I can talk about my time with Raheem.
‘It was exceptional, we built a really strong relationship together.
‘He was unbelievable at the time we were together and he taught me a lot as well.
‘About individuals, how they play and how we give them support and help them. He’s someone I have a really strong feeling about.’
The Gunners face Aston Villa on Saturday. They are the only team to beat the north London club twice in the league last season, and are managed by by old Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
Arteta’s synopsis of those two matches is simple.
‘They scored and we didn’t,’ he said. ‘Very simple. We had an enormous amount of chances to do that.
‘That was one of the big differences, we have analysed other stuff, but that’s what we’ll have to do better tomorrow because they’re a really good side. Really well coached.’
On his own contract situation, Arteta added: ‘The focus has been on the transfer window.
‘We had quite a lot of things to do and discuss. We are on it and we will take care of that in the right moment.’
