Mikel Arteta 'dreamed' of signing Euro 2024 star instead of Raheem Sterling

Former star Emmanuel Petit has claimed "dreamed" of signing Nico Williams this summer - and instead opted to bring in "panic buy" after missing out on the Spain star.

The Gunners were linked with Williams for most of the recent transfer window and that speculation only grew following his excellent displays for Spain at Euro 2024 as he helped them win the tournament.

A move for Williams failed to materialise, however, with Arteta later singing Sterling from on a loan deal to add more depth to his attacking options.

Petit, who played for 118 times between 1997 and 2000, believes Arsenal's squad lacks "quality" and says Arteta had "no choice" but to sign Sterling having missed out on other options.

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"I know that [Arteta] was dreaming about Nico Williams, but he will never come to the ," he told. "He will stay in Spain; he will go to . Definitely.

"Raheem Sterling was a panic buy. For me, knows that he’s missing players, numbers in his squad, quality players in terms of rotation.

"He knows that, so at the end of the transfer market during the summer, he knew that he had no choice just to get Sterling because he didn’t want to put the big money on the table for other players."

He continued his attack on Sterling, calling him a "living a nightmare". He added: "When you receive so much money for years and you win a lot of trophies, you’re not starving anymore. You lose your passion; you lose your priorities sometimes and you’re enjoying your life."

Sterling has only started two league games since joining Arsenal, failing to register a goal or assist so far. Last season in LaLiga, Williams notched five goals and 11 assists.

Some fans have questioned why Arsenal didn't sign a traditional No 9 after being linked with strikers like Alexander Isak, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen and their lack of firepower has cost them in recent games - earning just one point from their last three matches.

The team are now seven points adrift of league leaders after their disappointing 1-0 loss to United on the weekend, with the Gunners now aiming to bounce back away at Inter Milan in the .

Arteta's side - who will be without in Milan - have won two of their opening three matches in the new-look Champions League.

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