Mikel Arteta is keen on adding a fresh face to his Arsenal backroom staff – and has identified former Manchester United star Gabriel Heinze as the ideal candidate
Currently, the Gunners manager calls upon Albert Stuivenberg and Carlos Cuesta as two of his main assistants at the Emirates.
However, as a result of Arsenal’s impressive displays this season, both of the coaches are starting to attract interest from elsewhere, with Stuivenberg linked with the Ajax job while Cuesta is admired by Norwich City.
In turn, Arteta has started to look around for someone who could fill the potential vacancy within his backroom set-up.
According to ESPN Argentina, via Mirror, the Gunners boss is keen on recruiting former United ace Heinze and has already held talks with the ex-Old Trafford regular.
The same report claims that Heinze has a number of options on the table, including taking over Argentinian top flight outfit San Lorenzo as manager. However, Arteta will look to try and persuade his former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate to come to the Emirates in time for next term.
Any move for Heinze is dependant on the futures of both Stuivenberg and Cuesta. Despite not being the main men in north London, rumours of interest from other clubs continues to linger.
The speculation surrounding both of his assistants reached the point in February where Arteta felt compelled to address the situation. Asked about both being touted with other jobs, the Arsenal manager explained: “If that’s their will? You cannot [stop them]. I wouldn’t, no.
“It’s very important, and with the staff as well. I think everybody needs to feel that there is a path, there is a development plan for everyone. People don’t want to do the same thing for three, four, five years you know, and there is a way to incentivise people, to inspire other people, and then to explore.
