Mertesacker leaves Arsenal after eight years and unveils new job plans

ARSENAL academy chief Per Mertesacker will leave the club at the end of the season.

Mertesacker has been Arsenal’s academy manager since 2018 after retiring football that year.

The former defender, 41, has produced a number of youth stars during his time in charge.

Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly all made their debuts as Mertesacker led Arsenal’s academy.

The German leaves Arsenal in the summer on good terms and has hinted he is looking for a senior role.

Mertesacker was touted as a possible successor to replace Edu when he stepped down as Arsenal’s sporting director in November 2024.

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The Gunners hired Andrea Berta in March last year.

Mertesacker said: “Arsenal is and remains a very special club for me, so this was a difficult decision.

“I am very grateful for the confidence the club showed in me as I moved straight from a first-team player to the role of head of youth development.

“Now it’s time for me to move on and discover something new and push myself even further.

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“I remain focused on finishing the season strongly, continuing to nurture and develop our young talent and supporting a seamless transition until my very last day at the club.”

Mertesacker will get a lot of credit for bringing talented youngsters into Arsenal.

But the Gunners have also achieved poor results at youth level.

They finished 33rd this season UEFA Youth League after winning just one of their six matches.

Arsenal are going through changes at academy level and especially in the way they recruit young players.

The club is embarking on a major recruitment drive to compete with academy heavyweights Chelsea And Manchester City.

Arsenal have completed high-profile deals for Edwin and Holger Quintero, as well as Irish teenage star Victor Ozhianvuna.

The trio is ready to participate next years, when they turn 18 years old.

Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick said: “We continue to strive to win major trophies with continued focus and investment in our academy.

“We support Per’s decision to pursue something new, but we will be incredibly sad to see him leave at the end of the season.

“We were fortunate to retain Per as academy manager after he ended his playing career with us in 2018.

“He understands what Arsenal stands for and this has been a constant in his leadership: inspiring our youth coaches, staff and young players in an Arsenal way and giving so many the opportunity to develop and shine.

“We are pleased that Per will remain in office until the end of the season while we focus on our performance follow-up plan.”

Academy stars fueled by Mertesacker

Here’s a look at some of the talents that came through under Mertesacker…

Bukayo Saka

The winger made his debut in November 2018, just months after Mertesacker was appointed. He has become a shining light for the academy and an example for others to follow. Saka still visits Arsenal’s academy center in Hale End – and has a signed shirt hanging on one of the walls.

Emile Smith Rowe

Unai Emery took him on Arsenal’s pre-season tour in 2018 after academy staff urged him to do so. The attacking midfielder became a regular under Mikel Arteta before injuries halted his progress. Smith Rowe now plays for Fulham.

Ethan Nwaneri

In 2022, he became the youngest player in Premier League history. At the age of 15 years and 181 days, Nwaneri made his debut for Arteta at Brentford. The midfielder scored nine goals for Arsenal last season, but has struggled for minutes this season. A loan in January could be eligible.

Max Dowman

The attacking midfielder has broken into Arsenal’s first team this season, despite being just 15 years old. Considered the brightest talent to emerge from Arsenal’s academy in years. The club has worked hard to map out a plan for him, which will see him play for youth teams and Arteta’s squad.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

The pair have been Nwaneri’s best friends since childhood and have made their breakthrough together at the same time. Lewis-Skelly is a midfielder by trade, but was deployed as a left back by Arteta. He made his England debut last season and is doing everything he can to be part of the squad for this summer’s World Cup.