Theo Walcott Reveals What Raheem Sterling Is Doing at Arsenal That No One Has Noticed

Arsenal’s summer transfer window was full of excitement, but one of their more surprising signings was Raheem Sterling, who joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea. While the 29-year-old has had a relatively slow start at the club, former Gunner Theo Walcott recently revealed something that many fans might have missed: Sterling is playing a crucial role behind the scenes by mentoring Arsenal’s young star, Bukayo Saka.

Sterling, a seasoned Premier League winner, was expected to make an immediate impact on the pitch for Arsenal. However, he has found his minutes limited under Mikel Arteta. Despite not playing as much as many anticipated, Sterling has been quietly influencing the squad in a different way – by offering guidance to some of Arsenal’s brightest young talents.

In a recent segment on Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Manchester United, Theo Walcott shared something interesting about Sterling’s off-field presence. Walcott praised Sterling for not just focusing on improving his own game but also taking the time to mentor others, especially Bukayo Saka.

Walcott, who himself had a successful career at Arsenal, pointed out Saka’s continuous growth as a player, which he believes is partly due to Sterling’s influence. According to Walcott, Saka is constantly eager to learn, asking questions, and improving his game both on and off the pitch.

“He’s always learning, he’s always willing to ask questions,” Walcott said about Saka. “He now has Raheem Sterling, who has won a lot, just to pick his brain and be with him. They’re always together.”

What Walcott pointed out is that Sterling and Saka spend a lot of time together, which could be invaluable for the younger player. Saka, already one of the best wingers in the Premier League, has the chance to learn from someone who has played at the highest level and won numerous titles.

Sterling’s impact at Arsenal goes beyond his time on the field. With his vast experience in top-flight football, he has become a mentor figure for Saka and other young players. His guidance is helping to shape the next generation of talent at Arsenal, and Walcott believes this is a big part of why Sterling’s presence in the squad is so important, even if he’s not always starting matches.

Saka’s ability to learn from someone like Sterling could take his game to even greater heights. Sterling has been through a lot in his career, playing for top clubs like Manchester City and winning numerous trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. There is no doubt that Saka will benefit from these experiences as he looks to take his game to the next level.

While Sterling’s role as a mentor is becoming clearer, his playing time has been limited so far at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s head coach, has been careful about how he uses the winger, admitting that Sterling’s lack of minutes is down to waiting for the right opportunity to unleash him.

Arteta has praised Sterling’s performances in training, and it’s clear that the manager values his experience. As the season progresses, there could be more chances for Sterling to show what he can do on the pitch, but for now, his influence off the field is proving to be just as valuable.

Sterling’s role at Arsenal may not be as flashy as some of the team’s other stars, but his behind-the-scenes contributions are important. His mentorship of Saka and other young players will only help to build a stronger squad as Arsenal pushes for trophies this season.