Arsenal
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Arsenal have officially confirmed the appointment of former Argentina international Gabriel Heinze as a First Team Coach, strengthening Mikel Arteta’s backroom staff ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The announcement, made via the club’s official website, signals a notable addition to the Gunners’ coaching ranks as they look to build on recent progress and mount a serious challenge for domestic and European honours.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gabriel Heinze to our coaching staff as men’s First Team Coach,” read the club’s statement. “Heinze, a former Argentina international, brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the club. We welcome him and his family to Arsenal.”
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Heinze, 47, replaces Carlos Cuesta, who recently departed to take the helm at Serie A club Parma. The Argentine reunites with Arteta, having played alongside the Arsenal manager at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2001/02 season. Arteta has previously credited Heinze, along with Mauricio Pochettino, as key influences early in his playing career.
“They were next to me all the time, behind me, and they were guiding me in everything I had to do in my professional life,” Arteta once said. “They were inspirational to me.”
Welcome, Gabriel 👋
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gabriel Heinze to our coaching staff as men’s First Team Coach 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 8, 2025
A fierce and versatile defender during his playing days, Heinze boasts an impressive résumé, including league titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Marseille, PSG, and Newell’s Old Boys. He also earned 72 caps for Argentina, featuring in two World Cups, two Copa América tournaments, and winning an Olympic gold medal in 2004.
Since hanging up his boots in 2014, Heinze has built a diverse coaching career with stints at several top-flight Argentine clubs, Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, Vélez Sarsfield, and Newell’s Old Boys as well as a spell in Major League Soccer with Atlanta United.
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At Arsenal, Heinze will join an established coaching team that includes assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg, set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, and goalkeeping coach Iñaki Caña. His primary responsibilities will include tactical preparation, with a particular focus on defensive organisation and development, working closely with players such as Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba.
The move comes at a key juncture for Arsenal, who finished runners-up in the Premier League for the third year in a row and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season. With pre-season fixtures in Singapore and Hong Kong on the horizon, Heinze’s arrival is expected to provide both fresh perspective and valuable experience as Arteta’s side continues its push for a first league title since 2004.
The appointment also reflects Arsenal’s evolving strategy under Arteta and newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta, who joined the club in March. Further changes behind the scenes are ongoing, including the recent departure of Under-21 coach Mehmet Ali to Brentford.
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