Arsenal have brought another seasoned voice to their touchline as Gabriel Heinze formally becomes part of Mikel Arteta’s coaching team. Ahead of the 2025–26 season, the move is one in a series of tactical Arsenal coaching adjustments intended to improve the club’s backroom staff.
Following the departure of Carlos Cuesta last month to become head coach of Italian team Parma, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender assumes his new role. Rejoining his former teammate, Heinze—who had previously played with Arteta at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2001–02 season—now works as part of the mind behind Arsenal’s touchline decisions.
Heinze joins a core coaching staff that already includes long-serving assistant Albert Stuivenberg, set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, and goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana. Since 2021, the trio has worked under Arteta; it is still very important in the team’s strategic planning.
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
Arteta turns to familiar leadership
These Arsenal coaching changes show Arteta’s ongoing focus on knowledge and chemistry among his personnel. The decision to employ Gabriel Heinze results not only from their shared history but also from the Argentine’s expanding coaching credentials. Following his 2014 retirement from professional football, Gabriel Heinze started managing and has worked in positions throughout South America and the United States.
Along with brief stint at MLS club Atlanta United, his coaching path comprises stints with Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, and Velez Sarsfield in Argentina. Most recently, Newell’s Old Boys—the club where his professional playing career began—was under his guidance. Gabriel Heinze is renowned for his intensity, tactical discipline, and player development, even if his tenure in management has been inconsistent in terms of results.
Previously, Arteta has called Heinze a major influence on his footballing philosophy. During their time together in France, the Arsenal manager discussed Heinze in prior interviews as one of the people that shaped his views of professionalism and game intelligence. As Heinze joins Arteta’s endeavor to bring Arsenal to the next level, that mentoring role turns full circle.
🚨❤️🤍 Gabriel Heinze has been confirmed as new assistant coach at Arsenal as part of Mikel Arteta’s staff. pic.twitter.com/BKInziM6PU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 8, 2025
A broader structural revamp at Arsenal
One of many Arsenal coaching adjustments this summer is the reshuffle of Heinze. Under-21 coach Mehmet Ali has gone for Brentford, where he will collaborate with new head coach Keith Andrews. In March, Andrea Berta’s appointment as sporting director has given Arsenal’s football activities still further leadership.
Following a season in which the Gunners are once again just short of silverware, these adjustments follow. For the third year in a row, Arsenal finished second in the Premier League and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals. Their European adventure ended at hands of eventually victorious Paris Saint-Germain, therefore reemphasizing the importance of minor changes beyond the field.
Gabriel Heinze’s competitive background might be helpful in that respect. He took home national championships in France, Spain, and England as a player. Having 72 international appearances, he also won Olympic gold with Argentina in 2004. Arsenal’s aim to develop a winning attitude across the club matches his defensive sense and high-level experience.
By reinforcing the coaching staff with someone of Heinze’s calibre, Arteta hopes to spark new edge in preparation and mentality. With experienced voices directing both senior and new talent, the move emphasizes Arsenal’s dedication to long-term development.
Gabriel Heinze’s hiring provides Arsenal’s changing coaching staff a familiar yet modern face. These Arsenal coaching adjustments hope to introduce more precise tactical execution and winning experience to the Emirates as Arteta fine-tunes his backroom staff for another title push.
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