Manchester United Icon Set to Make Shocking Switch to Arsenal as Arteta's New Right-Hand Man

Arsenal are bringing in former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze to join Mikel Arteta's coaching setup after Carlos Cuesta's exit to Parma, according to reports.

Cuesta became part of Arteta's team in north London when the Spanish manager arrived in late 2020 and stayed until the conclusion of the 2024–25 campaign. The promising young tactician has now moved on, with Italian Serie A side Parma naming the 29-year-old as their head coach following Cristian Chivu's appointment to replace Simone Inzaghi at Inter.

This has left Arsenal looking for a new addition to their coaching ranks, and they appear to have found their answer in a former key player from Sir Alex Ferguson's era at Old Trafford. Reports from The Athletic suggest that Heinze is poised to become part of Arteta's coaching setup, having taken on various managerial positions since retiring from playing in 2014.

The ex-Argentina international has held five different coaching positions, most of them in his native country. Heinze has been without a job since November 2023 following a brief one-year stint managing Newell's Old Boys.

Arsenal's decision to recruit the 47-year-old makes sense given that Arteta and Heinze were teammates at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2001–02 campaign. The Arsenal boss has previously cited the Argentine as one of his key "inspirations" during their time together in Paris, where they formed a close bond.

Heinze enjoyed three years in the Premier League with United as a player, claiming the championship in 2006–07. He joins the Emirates at a pivotal moment, with Arsenal beginning the new campaign after three straight runner-up positions.

Though his specific duties under Arteta remain to be clarified, Heinze will be joining a distinguished coaching staff that features the Spaniard's deputy Albert Stuivenberg, set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover, and goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña.