Mikel Arteta - Arsenal - Wolves
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly considering a move to bring former Gunners midfielder Santi Cazorla back to the Emirates Stadium in a coaching capacity, as part of a potential reshuffle prompted by the expected departure of assistant coach Carlos Cuesta.
Cazorla, a fan favourite during his six-year spell at Arsenal from 2012 to 2018, is currently playing for his boyhood club Real Oviedo in Spain’s Segunda División. The 40-year-old is widely expected to retire at the end of the 2024/25 season and could transition into coaching, a path Arteta is keen to facilitate.
Sources close to the club say that Arteta holds Cazorla in the highest regard, both personally and professionally. “Mikel has always spoken highly of Santi, both as a person and a player,” one source said. “He believes Santi’s experience and charisma could be invaluable for the young squad, especially in a coaching capacity.”
READ MORE: Arsenal suffer huge loss ahead of the 2025/26 campaign
Arteta has not hidden his admiration for his former teammate. Speaking toSky Sports News in April 2024, the Arsenal boss said: “To have someone like [Cazorla], that can transmit his knowledge but his energy as well, to the team I think wouldn’t be bad.”
🚨Mikel Arteta has made it publicly clear he wants Santi Cazorla to join his coaching staff at Arsenal when he hangs up his boots, which is expected to be this summer.
With Carlos Cuesta leaving, it creates the perfect opportunity for Cazorla to step into the role, if he wants… pic.twitter.com/nwUyPuZpJE
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) June 17, 2025
The timing of the potential reunion is significant, coming as Carlos Cuesta prepares to leave Arsenal for his first senior managerial position at Serie A club Parma. Cuesta, 29, is expected to travel to Italy this week to finalise his move, as reported by The Athletic, becoming the first voluntary departure from Arteta’s inner coaching circle.
Cuesta has been a pivotal figure since joining Arsenal in 2020 from Juventus, contributing significantly to player development and matchday preparations. He rose through the ranks to become Arteta’s third-in-command after Steve Round’s exit in 2023 and has received praise from former players, including Granit Xhaka, for his detailed tactical work and ability to connect with the squad.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
While Cuesta’s departure is seen as a loss, it opens the door for a fresh appointment, one that could resonate emotionally with Arsenal fans. Cazorla, whose Arsenal career was marked by technical brilliance and unwavering professionalism, scored 29 goals and provided 44 assists in 180 appearances, playing a key role in two FA Cup triumphs. His strong relationship with Arteta, developed over four seasons together in midfield, could ease his transition into the coaching setup.
In an interview withThe Athletic in January 2025, Cazorla spoke warmly of his former captain: “Playing with Mikel was like sharing the pitch with a future coach. His leadership and vision were clear even then.”
Arteta now faces the challenge of replacing Cuesta’s tactical expertise and multilingual communication skills, which have been integral to Arsenal’s recent resurgence. While promoting from within—such as academy coaches Mehmet Ali or Max Porter—is a possibility, the idea of Cazorla returning has generated excitement. Another potential option is former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who recently left his post at Norwich City and has previously worked with the Gunners’ youth teams.
NEXT ARTICLE: Arsenal urged to launch massive bid for Barcelona star on €50,000-a-week salary