In a stunning twist for Arsenal, head coach Mikel Arteta is reportedly on the verge of losing a pivotal member of his coaching staff in what’s being labeled a ‘record-breaking’ deal. This development throws a wrench into the Gunners’ plans for the upcoming season, especially as they aim to revamp their squad after narrowly missing out on Premier League and Champions League glory in 2024/25.
Despite finishing as Premier League runners-up for the third consecutive year, Arsenal’s season was marred by injuries and a lackluster attack, leaving fans yearning for silverware. The club is now in the midst of negotiating several high-profile transfers to close the gap with rivals like Liverpool. However, the potential departure of key figures threatens to complicate their ambitions.
Reports from earlier this week hinted at an Arsenal star poised to exit after contract negotiations collapsed over wage disputes. Adding to the drama, first-team coach Carlos Cuesta is reportedly set to leave for Italy, marking a significant blow to Arteta’s coaching setup.
Cuesta, who joined Arsenal in 2020 following stints at Atletico Madrid and Juventus as a youth coach, has been a vital part of the Gunners’ backroom staff. Now, Italian Serie A side Parma has reportedly ‘decided’ to appoint the 29-year-old as their new manager. If the deal goes through, Cuesta will become the youngest manager in Serie A history, a testament to his rising reputation in the football world.
Fabrizio Romano broke the news on social media, stating, ‘Serie A side Parma have decided to appoint Carlos Cuesta as new manager! Talks at final stages with Arsenal to get green light and appoint 29-year-old Spanish manager who’s now leaving Assistant Head Coach role at Arsenal. Record appointment for Serie A.’
The Athletic later confirmed the developments, reporting that Cuesta is ‘set to leave’ and is ‘expected to travel to Italy on Wednesday.’ James McNicholas, The Athletic’s Arsenal expert, shed light on the implications of this departure, noting, ‘Carlos Cuesta has always had aspirations to be a manager, but this has probably come sooner than Arsenal or Mikel Arteta expected.’
Cuesta’s exit will undoubtedly disrupt Arteta’s preseason preparations, as the core coaching team has remained intact since 2021. McNicholas added, ‘Arteta must now consider whether to replace Cuesta with a new assistant coach. He will doubtless frame this as an opportunity for renewal and evolution.’
As Arsenal fans brace for further changes, one thing is certain: the Gunners’ summer is shaping up to be a rollercoaster of departures, arrivals, and high-stakes decisions. Stay tuned for more updates as the transfer window heats up.
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