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Arsenal Academy Manager Per Mertesacker is set for a special tribute before the Fulham game on Saturday
16:26, 02 May 2026
Per Mertesacker looks on
Per Mertesacker will leave his role as Academy Manager at Arsenal in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
Below is a round-up of why Arsenal are paying tribute to Per Mertesacker before Saturday's game against Fulham...
Arsenal are set to honour Per Mertesacker ahead of their Premier League clash against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium. The occasion serves as a formal farewell to the long-standing Academy Manager, who is due to leave the club at the conclusion of this season.
It is understood that Mertesacker will be brought out onto the pitch at around 17:15 BST to speak to supporters. During this moment, he will be interviewed about his journey and his considerable contributions to the North London outfit.
Alongside his pitch-side appearance, he will also join the Arsenal.com studio team for their live matchday broadcast. This media slot will give him the opportunity to reflect further on his time at the club, both as a player and in an executive capacity.
The timing of the tribute carries particular significance, as the youth seasons for the under-21 and under-18 sides are currently drawing to a close. This conclusion of the academy calendar neatly coincides with Mertesacker's final days in his influential leadership position.
Mertesacker has devoted a total of 15 years to Arsenal, encompassing his spell as a dependable centre-back and his subsequent role in coaching. The club is keen to celebrate this decade and a half of unwavering dedication and professional distinction. Having hung up his boots in 2018, Mertesacker made a seamless transition into the position of Academy Manager, swiftly establishing himself as a highly regarded figure behind the scenes, approaching his duties with the utmost dedication.
Among his most notable accomplishments has been the steady production of top-class young talent capable of stepping up to the Arsenal first team. The academy has thrived under his stewardship, serving as an indispensable conveyor belt for the senior side's continued success.
Beyond the technical aspects of development, Mertesacker was a firm advocate for nurturing young players as complete human beings. He held the belief that shaping character was every bit as crucial as honing on-pitch ability within the club's youth ranks.
Now 41, the former Germany international is reportedly keen to embrace a fresh challenge and a new environment. While his exit carries an element of sadness, most within the game agree he has more than earned the right to pursue pastures new.
The timing of his departure is considered appropriate, given that certain youth sides have endured a tricky run of form of late. His legacy at the club remains undimmed, while the move presents Arsenal with an opportunity to inject new thinking into their academy structure going forward.
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