Raheem and The Arsenal: The Perfect Match

Raheem Sterling says Arsenal is the 'perfect fit' for him; Arsenal Women host Rosenborg in Champions League play-off; and do you know who was Gus Atkinson's great-great-grandfather?

Hello,

Happy Saturday!

I can’t make Arsenal Women vs Rosenborg tonight, but the brilliant Freddie Cardy and equally brilliant photographer Suzy Lycett will be at Meadow Park covering the game exclusively for the Gooner Fanzine.

I’m not even in Dublin for Ireland vs England this weekend either - although normal service will be resumed on Tuesday when I cover Lee Carsley’s Three Lions side at Wembley on Tuesday against Finland.

Speaking of which, it’s rather depressing to note that certain commentators are demanding the interim England boss sing the national anthem in Dublin before kick-off.

I’ve always thought that singing the national anthem should be a personal choice.

Because being monitored for singing a song that underlines the divine right of kings to lord it over us and the rest of the globe is the type of dictatorial totalitarianism that Britain has always prided itself in opposing.

Raheem Is A Gooner. CREDIT: Arsenal FC

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Raheem Is A Gooner

New signing Raheem Sterling says Arsenal is the 'perfect fit' for him, as is determined to be a part of the club's 'togetherness'.

The 29-year-old is determined to make a great impression in North London after his late move across the capital from Chelsea on deadline.

“I’m buzzing. It’s one where we left it late but it’s one I was hoping for,” Sterling told the club.

“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.

“It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That’s exactly how I am as a person.

“Each year you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully I can gel really well with the boys and get going.

“It’s time now to meet the boys, get settled in and hopefully now see some game time and make my mark.”

Delighted to be working with Arteta once again

Arteta worked with the forward at the Etihad, where the Gunners boss was assistant to Pep Guardiola from 2016 to 2019.

The prospect of playing for Arteta was too good to ignore - and Sterling can’t wait to be a part of the project Arteta is buiding at the Emirates.  

“I’ve been watching his journey because I spent some time with him at Manchester City, and to see him come in here and stamp his mark on this amazing football club, with this amazing history, it says a lot about him and the great job he is doing here,” Sterling said. 

“You can see the real togetherness, the journey that the boys are on, and the hunger.

“The togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of.

“I’m really excited. There are always challenges and this is another challenge.

“It’s one that I’m relishing and I’ll really go out there and do my thing.”

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Gus Atkinson - but do you know who was his great-great-grandfather?

Gus Atkinson

What a summer Gus Atkinson is having playing Test cricket for England.

Another five-fer haul at Lord’s last Sunday, to help his team to seal a series victory over Sri Lanka, while making it five home Test wins on the bounce for the 26-year-old, 6ft 2in fast bowling assassin.

That’s without mentioning his incredible 12 wickets (12-106) during the first West Indies Test on debut back in July, which I had the pleasure of watching in the flesh at Lord’s in between trips to Germany to cover Euro 2024.

And we haven’t even mentioned his astonishingly fluent maiden Test ton during the self-same second Test victory over Sri Lanka.

As someone who absolutely loved Jimmy Anderson - and who saw a considerable amount of his career in the flesh as a punter - the seamless way (no pun intended) Atkinson has entered the fray has been as wonderful as it has been unexpected, despite his undoubted talent, and performances for Surrey over the last few years.

But another reason I like Atkinson, a non-cricketing reason, is because his great-great grandfather was Sir Henry Norris - Arsenal’s utter rascal of a chairman during the wars.

Sir Henry Norris - the Arsenal chairman Spurs fans love to hate

Sir Henry Norris

If you don’t know who the iconic Sir Henry Norris is - quite frankly if you don’t you shouldn’t really be reading my daily Substack - because, just as you, dear reader, wants intelligent writing, myself, as the writer, wants, no demands, intelligent readers.

And that means readers who know The Arsenal inside out.

I am jesting slightly.

If you don’t know who the machiavellian Sir Henry, here’s a piece the brilliant Arsenal author Jon Spurling adapted for us at the Gooner Fanzine, during lockdown, to help explain the controversial character.

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