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Rio Ferdinand insists Arsenal pulled off a ‘ridiculous bit of business’ by signing Raheem Sterling and says Chelsea are ‘crazy’ for allowing him to leave.
After being banished from first-team training by Blues boss Enzo Maresca, Sterling sealed a deadline-day move to Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal.
Sterling, who played for Manchester City and Liverpool before Chelsea, joins Mikel Arteta’s side on a season-long loan deal.
Ferdinand is ‘pleased’ for Sterling, who faced being exiled until January had he not left Chelsea, and says the 29-year-old’s experience will be ‘invaluable’ to an Arsenal team chasing their first Premier League title since 2004.
The Manchester United legend believes Chelsea are ‘crazy’ for offloading Sterling and says he could well end up helping the Gunners lift the Premier League trophy.
‘What a mad circus act this was,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel, discussing one of the most intriguing moves of the summer.
‘But I’m just pleased and happy that the situation got sorted out for Raheem Sterling and he got a move he wanted.
‘The situation wasn’t handled properly – it could’ve been better from Chelsea. But I’m glad he’s gone now.
‘It’s a great business by Arsenal. From their perspective, this is a ridiculous bit of business.
‘You’re getting an experienced winger who has won four league titles, he knows how to get it done. He’s played for some of the biggest clubs this country has to offer.
‘He knows the path to trophies and that is invaluable. How Chelsea have let that out the door I don’t know, it’s crazy.
‘This is a marriage made in heaven for Arsenal. It’s a perfect fit for me. Raheem has something to prove, too.
‘I think he will deliver there and I’ll say it again, I think Arsenal will win the league this year and this signing only reinforces that thought. I think he could be that important.’
After completing a last-gasp move across London, Sterling said: ‘It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting.
‘It [the move] is one where we kind of left it late, but it’s one I was hoping for.
‘Looking at everything, I’m just, like, “this is a perfect fit for me”, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.’
Sterling attended Arsenal’s Premier League draw with Brighton on Saturday and could make his Gunners debut in the north London derby following the international break.
His parent club Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday in a London derby against Crystal Palace.
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