RAHEEM STERLING wrote his name into the Champions League history books on Thursday.
The 29-year-old made his first European appearance for Arsenal against Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium, replacing Bukayo Saka in the 73rd minute.
In doing so, he became the first player to represent FOUR different English clubs in the Champions League.
His first outing in the competition came with Liverpool ten years ago against Ludogorets.
Sterling then went on to join Manchester City and spent seven years at the Etihad.
During that time he helped Pep Guardiola’s side to the 2021 Champions League final, but they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
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The winger subsequently signed for the Blues one year later.
Sterling fell down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge last season.
He was left out of Enzo Maresca’s plans earlier this summer and given the green light to leave Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal swooped in to sign him on a season-long loan just a few hours before the transfer window shut.
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The Gunners negotiated a bargain deal with no fees and less than a 50 per cent wage contribution.
Sterling is yet to start a match for Arsenal.
He made his debut in the club’s 1-0 win over Tottenham last week.
And his second appearance came against Atalanta on Thursday.
The Gunners held the Europa League champions to a 0-0 draw at the Gewiss Stadium.
David Raya kept his team in the game with a stunning double-save.
Arsenal ratings vs Atalanta as Raya saves uninspiring Gunners in Italy
ARSENAL had some David Raya heroics to thank for a points in the Champions League opener.
Raya’s stunning double save just after the break spared Thomas Partey’s blushes after the midfielder gave away a penalty.
And that was the closest either side came to a goal in the 0-0 draw.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Mikel Arteta’s men…
David Raya – 9
Produced a simply stunning double save to stop Mateo Retegui’s penalty and then flung himself across to push away the follow-up rebound header – even better than his effort to deny Ollie Watkins.
Robbie Savage labelled it the “best save I’ve ever seen” while Gunners fans lauded their Spanish hero, who has conceded just once in five games so far this term.
Ben White – 7
Given the daunting task of trying to keep Ademola Lookman quiet inside a rocking Gewiss Stadium but completed the job with his classic relaxed, languid demeanour.
William Saliba – 8
One of the world’s top centre-backs but did not need to be anywhere near his best – solid enough when called upon, including excellent late sliding tackle in own box.
Retegui showed great movement but Saliba will have far sterner tests this season, none more so than up against Erling Haaland on Sunday.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Like his partner Saliba, Gabriel helped ensure the Arsenal defence came out on top.
Starting to run out of words to say about this pair who just concede so few chances.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Adds an extra dimension to this Arsenal side – showing just how much he was missed when sidelined last season.
Arguably had the easiest evening’s work of the four defenders.
Thomas Partey – 4
Martin Keown described the Gunners’ retraction en masse during the transition as Arteta putting up his own “Thames Barrier”.
But Partey nearly allowed the floodgates to open by giving away the penalty three minutes into the second half – only to be rescued by Raya’s heroics.
Declan Rice – 6
Top awareness to sniff out the Atalanta danger and help control midfield.
But squandered a great chance to drive Arsenal forward when he won the ball on the halfway line and could have launched a potent counter.
Kai Havertz – 6
With Jesus starting up front, Havertz dropped into a deeper role – but he is perfectly comfortable there, too, and can carry the ball forwards.
Little to show for his evening, though, but continued to put a shift in defensively until the final whistle.
Buakyo Saka – 6
Drew the foul from Ederson who collected an early yellow and from the resulting free-kick almost squeezed a low effort into bottom corner but for top save.
Given a breather for final 20 minutes with an eye on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Captain on the night was his typical busy self early on getting himself around but virtually all of his involvement was outside the Atalanta penalty area.
Withdrawn before the hour mark.
Gabriel Martinelli – 4
Struggled to get in the game and then when he did get in, squandered a really good chance when he blazed over.
Definitely not hitting top form so far this season and may well find himself among the subs against Manchester City.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
