Mikel Arteta & Pep Guardiola respond to Raheem Sterling transfer links
- Raheem Sterling linked with Arsenal, Man City & Crystal Palace
- Winger not part of the plans in new-look Chelsea squad
- Mikel Arteta & Pep Guardiola have responded to rumours
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hasn't ruled out "surprises" at the end of the summer transfer window as the Gunners prepares themselves to jump at an opportunity if it arrives.
It comes as Arsenal have been linked with Raheem Sterling, who is among a huge group of players not part of manager Enzo Maresca's plans at Chelsea.
"We have to [be ready to move], because anything can happen both ways, especially in the last week. You have to be ready, especially in the last week, and be prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons…and we are prepared," Arteta said, via Arsenal.com.
"Everybody will be in a different position. We knew what we wanted to do, what we could do, as well which is important, and we have to put those two things together at the end."
Arteta has the added benefit of working with Sterling in the past, during his spell as assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and knows the former England winger better than most.
"My time with him was exceptional," the Arsenal boss explained.
"I think we built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at the time we worked together and he taught me a lot as well about individuals and how players think, how we give them support and help them. He's someone that I really have strong feelings about."
Arsenal aren't the only Premier League side linked with an opportunistic Sterling swoop, although Guardiola has played down the possibility of Manchester City launching a bid without ruling it out.
"He is a Chelsea player, absolutely. So I just wish him all the best. If you ask me this question when Gundo was in Barcelona the answer the same," Guardiola said, referencing City's unexpected reunion with Ilkay Gundogan in recent days.
Crystal Palace is a more left-field suggestion for Sterling but, again, it has been downplayed.
"Raheem Sterling is a fantastic player, but it doesn't mean he will be a Crystal Palace player. He's a great player but I don't know what will happen with him," Eagles boss Oliver Glasner said.
Sterling has scored 19 goals across 81 appearances in two seasons with Chelsea. In previous spells with Liverpool and Manchester City since he was 17 years of age, Sterling has netted 123 times in 379 games in the Premier League alone during his career to date.
