Arsenal have confirmed that former defender Per Mertesacker will leave his role as academy manager at the end of the season after eight years at the club, Softfootball understands.
The German, who played alongside current Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has helped the club shaped the developments of many players including the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman, who are now regular members of the first team.
Gabriel Martinelli scored his first hat-trick for Arsenal in the FA Cup third round win against Postsmouth and Per Mertesacker would’ve enjoyed that one because he helped in the growth of the player at the club.
Arsenal put out a statement via their official X handle to announce the situation with the German and the club. It read:
Following eight years in the role, Per Mertesacker will step down as Academy Manager at the end of the season. Thank you and best of luck for the future, Per ❤️
An emotional Per Mertesacker, who played 221 matches for Arsenal across all competitions during his career from 2011 to 2018, scoring 8 goals expressed his love for the club. He added:
Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision. I am very thankful for the trust the club put in me when transitioning from a first-team player directly into the role as Head of Academy. Now it is time for me to move on and explore something new and push myself even further. I remain focused on finishing the season strongly, continuing to nurture and develop our young talent and support a seamless transition until my very last day with the club.
Arteta, who said recently that Arsenal missed Kai Havertz will surely feel the absence of the former Gunners defender as he gave everything for the club and would wish the North London side win the premier league for the first time since 2024.
