Out of nowhere, Arsenal have confirmed that Per Mertesacker will leave his role in the academy.
It’s been eight years since Mertesacker took on the role of Arsenal’s academy manager, and now, the end is in sight for the German.
Arsenal have announced that the former Gunner will move on at the end of the season in search of a new challenge.
Mertesacker has assisted several talents from Arsenal’s academy on their way to the first team, and while his departure will hurt, it’s not all bad news.
Did you expect this?!
Per Mertesacker’s exit might actually be good for Arsenal’s academy
Things could’ve been so different for Arsenal, as Arsene Wenger wanted Mikel Arteta to become academy manager instead of Mertesacker.
It was the World Cup winner who took on the role, and he’s done a tremendous job, delivering the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly to the first team.
While some highs are there for all to see, and some are not as well covered, there’s no doubt that Mertesacker’s exit could actually do Arsenal’s academy a favour.
It seems like a startling remark to make, but putting first-team graduations aside, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done at Hale End and a change at the top could trigger that.
Name three changes you’d like to see happen in Arsenal’s academy
Loans, U21 pathways, signings?
For starters, Arsenal’s U19s are underperforming, and that’s not the only squad who need assistance.
From a fan’s perspective, the U21s squad is a bit of a mess, not to say that the talent isn’t there, but rather that it’s stuck.
Players don’t graduate from the U21s squad, nor do they go on career-enriching loans, with the majority of loan exits being to leagues miles below the standard required to transition into Arsenal’s first team.
Better assistance is needed, which essentially could come from a better plan, which might just well be delivered once change is implemented.
Mertesacker may not be responsible for some of the frailties at Hale End right now, but with change comes inspiration, and a fresh take is clearly needed.
What Mertesacker had to say about leaving Arsenal
The announcement was made on Arsenal’s official website, where a statement from Mertesacker was shared.
“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 when transitioning from a first-team player directly into the role as Head of Academy. Now it is time for me to move on and explore something new and push myself even further.
“I remain focused on finishing the season strongly, continuing to nurture and develop our young talent and support a seamless transition until my very last day with the club.”
Losing someone with eight years of experience at the club was always going to be a blow for Arsenal, but that’s football; figures come and go.
To echo what Mertesacker said, what’s essential is a ‘seamless transition’, which could take Hale End to an even higher level than where the academy currently sits.
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