Former Arsenal and Germany defender Per Mertesacker has announced that he will step down as Head of Arsenal’s Academy at the end of the season.
According to Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Monday, Mertesacker was quoted as saying, “Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision. I am very thankful for the trust the club put in me.”
Since taking over the academy, Mertesacker has been instrumental in developing young talents, helping to strengthen Arsenal’s pipeline of players for the first team.
The club has yet to announce a replacement, but Mertesacker’s departure marks the end of an important chapter in Arsenal’s youth development programme.
Mertesacker joined Arsenal in 2011 from Werder Bremen and quickly became a key figure in the heart of the defence. The tall, commanding centre-back was known for his aerial ability, reading of the game, and calmness on the ball, making him a reliable presence at the back.
During his playing career at the club, Mertesacker made over 170 Premier League appearances and scored 9 goals, many of them crucial headers from set-pieces. He won three FA Cups (2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17) and three FA Community Shields (2014, 2015, 2017), often captaining the team and mentoring younger players.
After retiring in 2018, Mertesacker immediately joined Arsenal’s coaching staff. He eventually became Head of the Academy, where he oversaw the development of young talent and helped integrate promising players into the first team.
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