Arsenal's transfer masterstroke as details of Sterling & Blues agreement emerge

Arsenal will pay "significantly less" than 50 per cent of Raheem Sterling's salary for the duration of his season-long loan from Chelsea, according to reports.

The Gunners left it late to bring in Sterling on deadline day after the England winger fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge, with manager Enzo Maresca telling the player he did not figure in his plans for the forthcoming season.

Sterling has now given himself a new lease of life in north London as the 29-year-old bids to compete with Bukayo Saka on the right flank for a starting spot.

The Gunners will certainly be grateful for the extra depth in attacking areas as they look to go toe-to-toe with Man City and finally claim the Premier League title, having finished second to City in back-to-back seasons.

And it appears Arsenal have pulled off something of a masterstroke in their signing of Sterling, after the Athletic reported that the Gunners struck a late deal on "favourable" terms having opted to loan the player in the final stages of deadline day.

Sterling, whose contract with Chelsea runs until 2027, is reported to be earning between £300,000 and £350,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, with Arsenal agreeing to pay less than half of that.

Speaking on what Sterling could bring to the team, Arteta said the winger had the ability to cause lots of problems for opponents, but urged the team to help him become a success this season.

"Obviously he’s got these numbers because he was playing under a great manager with great players around him that generate so much for him,” Arteta said.

"If you do that, he’s going to score the goals and create so many issues to the opponent, that’s what we have to do as a team.”

On their transfer window as a whole, the Spaniard added: "We are really happy with what we’ve done. We all know the qualities. It’s a bigger step up for us. We have brought a top talent and a player with a lot of experience that hopefully is going to impact the team in a big way."

Sterling's first appearance for Arsenal will come after the international break after his switch came too soon to be included in the club's 1-1 draw at home to Brighton. The Gunners will next travel to bitter rivals Tottenham for a North London Derby on September 15.