Dietmar Hamann has questioned Arsenal’s move for Raheem Sterling, claiming he has ‘gone backwards’ in recent years and will only get worse.
Sterling completed a shock move to the Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day after being frozen out by new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
The 29-year-old joined Chelsea in 2022 after spending seven successful seasons at Manchester City, in which he won four Premier League titles and multiple domestic cups.
Sterling, who has 82 caps for England, found things trickier at chaotic Chelsea, scoring 19 goals across his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge before being effectively banished by Maresca.
Maresca’s stance forced Sterling to consider a summer move and he joined Arsenal on a season-long loan, linking up with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who he worked with at Man City.
Sterling would have hoped to prove Maresca wrong in north London but he has endured an underwhelming start to his Arsenal career, starting just two Premier League games.
It is, of course, still early days but Hamann doubts Sterling will ever get back to the form he demonstrated at Man City and Liverpool.
‘I hope we see the Raheem Sterling we saw at Liverpool and Manchester City, but I don’t think we’ll see him reach those levels at Arsenal,’ the ex-Germany midfielder told Flashscore.
‘He’s 29 years old now, he’s losing his pace and tenacity. If you look at his form, he’s gone backwards since leaving Manchester City. I doubt he’ll improve again.’
Hamann also revealed he expected Arsenal to finish third in the Premier League this season, behind defending champions Man City and Liverpool, who he has tipped to win the title.
The top-three are separated by four points after eight games and Arsenal will close the gap to Liverpool to just one point if they beat Arne Slot’s side in this weekend’s much-anticipated clash at the Emirates.
‘Liverpool will win the Premier League, Manchester City will come second, Arsenal third and Tottenham fourth,’ former Anfield star Hamann added.
‘The thing with Arsenal, they’ve played out of their skin in the last two seasons and still came up short. I’m not convinced they can improve any further, especially against Manchester City and Liverpool.
‘Arne Slot looks like a great manager and Liverpool are performing very well, I think with their experience they can secure the title this season.
‘I think Liverpool have shown they can win the Premier League, apart from the Nottingham Forest game, they’ve been brilliant.
‘The team functions well, everyone is happy and psychologically, and the win against Chelsea is huge. It was an even game but Liverpool came out on top, which is a massive sign of intent.
‘Manchester City have lost Rodri, he can’t be replaced and Arsenal dropped points, I think Liverpool have a great chance to win the Premier League and go far in the Champions League.’
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