Raheem Sterling has made a surprising choice by opting not to wear the iconic number 10 shirt at Arsenal, a decision that defied widespread expectations.
Instead, the 29-year-old forward has chosen to wear the number 30 shirt following his deadline-day loan move from Chelsea. This decision came as a surprise to many fans who were anticipating that Sterling would take over the number 10 jersey, which became available after Emile Smith Rowe's transfer to Fulham.
Arsenal officially announced that Sterling will be wearing the number 30 shirt for the duration of his loan spell. The decision not to wear the number 10 shirt has sparked discussions among supporters, given the shirt's historical significance at the club.
Sterling's move to Arsenal comes after he lost his number 7 shirt at Chelsea to the new signing, Pedro Neto. Despite the change in shirt number, Sterling is expected to be a key player in Mikel Arteta’s squad as they aim for a strong finish in the Premier League.
Sterling's experience and versatility will be crucial for Arsenal, especially after the international break, as they continue their pursuit of domestic and European success.
Although the number 30 shirt may not carry the same prestige as the number 10, Sterling's decision reflects his focus on contributing to the team without the weight of expectations associated with a more iconic shirt number.
Fans will be eager to see how Sterling adapts to his new role at Arsenal and whether his choice of shirt number will have any impact on his performance on the pitch.
