Arsenal have confirmed that Raheem Sterling will wear the No30 shirt following his move from Chelsea. The 29-year-old England winger joined on loan during transfer deadline day after being sidelined by Chelsea and will now aim to strengthen Arsenal’s Premier League title charge.
Sterling was in the stands watching Arsenal’s recent draw with Brighton and is expected to begin training with his new team immediately. With no international call-up, he has time to familiarize himself with Mikel Arteta’s tactical style. Arsenal fans could see him make his debut in two weeks against rivals Tottenham, a match where his skills and experience will be crucial.
Sterling typically wears the No7 shirt, a number he had donned during his time at Manchester City and Chelsea. However, at Arsenal, that number belongs to Bukayo Saka, one of the club’s brightest young talents, meaning Sterling had to select a new shirt number. The No30 shirt became an option after being vacated by Matt Turner, who left in the summer transfer window. Notable past holders of the shirt include Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ryo Miyaichi, and Yossi Benayoun.
There were other numbers available for Sterling to choose from, including the No10, No14, and No21 shirts, which had been left vacant after Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, and Fabio Vieira made moves away from Arsenal. Additionally, the No31 shirt, which Sterling wore at Liverpool during his early career, was open for selection. However, the former Liverpool and City star opted for the No30 instead, and the club officially confirmed his squad number on Tuesday.
Interestingly, Arsenal appeared to have accidentally revealed Sterling’s new number prematurely. A now-deleted link to purchase Sterling’s No10 shirt briefly appeared on the club’s website, sparking speculation before the official announcement was made. It’s now clear that the No30 shirt will be Sterling’s for his time at Arsenal, as he sets out to make his mark at the Emirates.
Sterling’s arrival adds further depth and experience to Arsenal’s squad as they aim to push for their first Premier League title since 2004. His pace, technical ability, and Premier League experience could prove invaluable as Arteta’s side continues to compete at the top of the table. Fans are eager to see how Sterling will fit into the team alongside key players such as Saka and Martin Odegaard.
With his move from Chelsea now complete, all eyes will be on Sterling’s first appearances for Arsenal as the team gears up for a challenging second half of the season. Whether he can live up to expectations and provide the firepower Arsenal need remains to be seen, but the Gunners faithful are hopeful that the winger will play a key role in their pursuit of silverware.