Arsenal could now complete a deal that would make up for the Raheem Sterling disaster

Are Arsenal about to make a late transfer move similar to one they made two summers ago?

On deadline day in 2024, the Gunners signed Raheem Sterling on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

The winger had fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, and his best days appeared to be behind him, but Arsenal still felt he could have something to offer as a rotation option.

Unfortunately, it turned out, he didn’t. The move was a disaster.

He made 17 Premier League appearances, starting just five, and contributed almost nothing of note — zero goals, two assists.

Now, in the final hours of the window, a similar situation is presenting itself.

Some sources apparently believe Arsenal will make a late move for Marcus Rashford on a temporary deal until the end of the season.

Manchester United appear likely to keep him beyond the deadline, but the murmurings are there.

Marcus Rashford would be a much better signing than Raheem Sterling

The two players are easy to compare. Both are big-name English stars from rival clubs, both (potentially) available on loan, both with question marks hanging over their consistency.

But Rashford would be a lot better.

Sterling came into Arsenal on a downward trajectory with nothing to prove and little to play for. It was already obvious his best years were clearly behind him.

You could say the same about Rashford, who may never truly hit the same heights he once did, but he’s still clearly got plenty to offer.

Last season on loan at Barcelona, he directly contributed to over 28 goals in all competitions, a return that convinced many the Catalan club would sign him permanently.

They ultimately chose Anthony Gordon instead, but Rashford’s performances in Spain showed that the quality is still very much there.

It earned him a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, where he scored in the opening game against Croatia, linking up well with Bukayo Saka, of all people.

He is 28, and a move to Arsenal, the best team in England, would surely reignite his motivation. He has something to prove after a difficult period at Old Trafford.

Arteta has ‘saved’ other big names who looked lost at rival clubs, most notably Kai Havertz.

The consistency concerns are fair and whether Arteta would accept his lack of defensive discipline is debatable.

But with the ball — on his day — he is unplayable. And for a loan deal until the end of the season, there’s little risk there.