I didn’t think for one minute about joining Arsenal: Sterling

Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling has stated he did not “think one minute” about Arsenal’swish to buy him in the summer when he learned of the club’s interest.The forward was wanted by Arsenal as part of a deal that would havetaken Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City. However Pep Guardiola did notcontemplate allowing the 22-year-old to leave and Sterling has rewardedthe manager’s faith by scoring six times in the Premier League and sevenin all competitions.Sterling said he did not discuss with Guardiola a potential move toArsenal, after discovering the club’s interest when with England inAugust. “I didn’t need to speak to him because I already spoke to him inthe summer,” Sterling said. “I didn’t have any negative thoughts. I just woke up one day withEngland, didn’t believe a word of it. I didn’t need to worry about it –didn’t think about it one minute.”Sterling signed from Liverpool in July 2015 and views his long-termfuture at City. “I signed for five years,” he said. “I have three and ahalf years left.”Sterling is City’s joint top-scorer, with Sergio Agüero and GabrielJesus. His other goal came in the 2-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk inCity’s second Champions League match. City host Napoli today and Sterling wants to continue his stellar formwith the World Cup in Russia at the close of the campaign. “Yeah, it ismassive year for me, for the team and I need to keep building, keepworking hard and go to the World Cup on a positive,” Sterling said. His highest club tally of goals in a season is 11, achieved twice withLiverpool. Sterling appears certain to eclipse this, having managed 10last term. “I just need to continue focusing on getting into goalscoringareas, getting into the box because that is where the majority of mygoals come from,” he said.  “I am trying to build on the year before.” Sterling praised Guardiola’s contribution to his game. “He’s beenmassive for me especially with basic stuff – he always tries to get youto do the simple things at top level and that’s the genius thing abouthim. It works, too.”Sterling’s six league goals have come at the best strike-to-minutesratio in the Premier League. “It is something I have been trying toimprove, scoring more goals, being more efficient and being moreclinical,” he said. “That has been a massive question mark.”Whereas City have won both group games, Napoli lost their opening matchat Shakhtar. However Maurizio Sarri’s side are unbeaten in Serie A whichthey lead by two points. Of the challenge that awaits his side,Guardiola said: “It is not a team that is going to wait. They make highpressing and amazing buildup in the middle. They have three guys who areso dynamic: [Lorenzo] Insigne, [Dries] Mertens and [José] Callej?n.They make runs in behind – especially Callej?n. In the middle they have[Marek] Hamsik who can also run in behind.“The set pieces are also good. The goalkeeper [Pepe Reina] is also good;the leader of his team-mates, he has the quality to make the buildup.”Guardiola has a fully-fit Aguero available, following a ribinjury.“Yesterday he had an amazing training session,” the manager said.