Raheem Sterling set for long-term Arsenal ties despite disastrous loan stint

may be heading back to for the time being but he has established longer-term ties with on his way out of north London. The 30-year-old underwhelmed on loan at the Emirates Stadium last season, despite reuniting with former assistant , and the Gunners will make no attempt to sign him permanently.

But that hasn't stopped Sterling establishing a family connection with the club, as it is set to be announced that his son, Thiago, has joined the Arsenal academy. The youngster will play for the U9 team - the lowest age group - and hope to emulate his father in years to come by breaking into senior football as a teenager.

A has surfaced on social media showing Sterling with his partner and two sons as the family hold aloft an Arsenal shirt with 'Thiago' on the back. It ensures that the former City winger will likely be showing his face in and around the academy's training facilities, even if he is playing his club football elsewhere.

It was hoped that Sterling could rediscover the talent that saw him hit 131 goals in 339 games for City in a spell which also brought him four Premier League titles.

But he ended his season-long stint at Arsenal with an abysmal record of one goal in 28 games across all competitions, and he was rarely used by Arteta over the final few weeks.

Arsenal had nothing material left to play for on their final-day trip to Southampton, which resulted in a 2-1 win. But Arteta insists it was crucial to give the club's departing players - Sterling included - a fitting send-off.

"It was important to win it," he said. "It was important as well to say goodbye to a few players who have left our football club, to say thank you for their contribution.

"Some of them, like Kieran [Tierney], they've been on this journey for six years with us. Jorginho, we're trying to hug him, Neto and Raheem as well. So, there are a few players that I had the duty to say thank you to. I think we all have and we wish them the best for the next season."

Exactly where Sterling will be playing his club football next campaign is up in the air. But it is presumed that he has no future at Chelsea while Enzo Maresca is at the helm.