Mikel Arteta could be about to make an addition to his coaching staff as one former Manchester United star has been linked with an Arsenal role.
Mikel Arteta could be set to shake things up behind the scenes at Arsenal.
The Spanish coach has made a number of successful appointments since he took the reins at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019. Arsenal coach Carlos Cuesta has impressed to such an extent that he has previously been linked with managerial vacancies in the Championship.
Meanwhile, set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been a revelation in North London. The Gunners have been a hugely effective attacking force this from set-pieces this season. Jover has been described as something of a secret weapon for Arsenal.
It is important to keep things fresh amongst the coaching contingent at the club, though, and Arteta will always be on the lookout for individuals who can bring new ideas and the benefit of their knowledge and experience to the team.
Arteta has previously stated that of his former Arsenal teammates he would love to appoint Santi Cazorla in a coaching role. However, it now seems that another former Premier League star could be on the verge of joining the staff at London Colney.
As reported by journalist Leandro Alves, reporting on X, Gabriel Heinze could be set to join the Arsenal coaching group. The Argentine was recently seen in the company of Arteta at a game in Spain, and is currently in London.
Who is Gabriel Heinze?
Heinze will be familiar to Premier League fans from his stint at Manchester United. The defender spent three seasons at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2007, winning one Premier League title, before moving on to join Real Madrid.
Over the course of his playing career, the 45-year-old also enjoyed spells with PSG, Marseille, and Roma, amongst other clubs. He also amassed 72 caps for Argentina.
As a manager, he has taken charge of numerous clubs in his home country, as well as MLS outfit Atlanta United. He was most recently at the helm for Newell’s Old Boys, where he began and ended his own playing career.
What can Gabriel Heinze bring to Arsenal?
Heinze knows what it takes to play and win in English football, and has the benefit of having been a manager himself, which means Arteta may well be able to benefit from his experience.
On top of that, in the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jorginho, Arsenal have a strong contingent of South American players in their current first-team squad. Heinze would likely be able to strike up a particularly effective working relationship with these players.
READ MORE: All Mikel Arteta signings at Arsenal ranked from worst to best