Arsenal to lose key first team figure, which could cause serious problems for Mikel Arteta: report

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Arsenal may be challenging for three trophies this term, but behind the scenes all might not be well for Mikel Arteta and his side

Mikel Arteta of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2023 in London, England.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal face losing a key figure in the first team at the end of the season, throwing Mikel Arteta's plans into disarray.

Though Arsenal are currently fighting for the Premier League title and are still in the Champions League, Arteta might have a tough task on his hands to keep hold of an important member of the team.

Indeed, Arteta's coaching staff has proved integral to the Gunners' fortunes over his four years in charge, though that might all be set to change in the summer. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta receives the Premier League January Manager Of The Month award with coaching staff (L) Inaki Pavon, (2ndL) Carlos Cuesta, (3rdL) Steve Round, (R) Miguel Molina, (2ndR) Nico Jover and (3rdR) Albert Stuivenburg at London Colney on February 03, 2023 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Arsenal 2022/23 coaching staff (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to The Guardian, Mikel Arteta's assistant Carlos Cuesta could leave Arsenal in the summer to become a manager in his own right, with Championship clubs, such as Norwich City, heavily interested in the Spaniard.

Still only 28-years-old, Cuesta joined Arsenal in 2020 and has overseen a huge shift in fortunes at the Emirates alongside Arteta. In the four years he has worked with Arteta, Arsenal have transformed from Premier League also-rans to title contenders.

Cuesta has also overseen the development of young players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith-Rowe, but he could now be tempted into taking his first managerial job after proving his credentials at Arsenal.

Arsenal 1st team coach Carlos Cuesta during a training session at London Colney on January 25, 2024 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta (Image credit: Getty Images)

The report suggests that Norwich are the side most likely to try and tempt the former Juventus youth coach away from the Gunners, with sporting director Ben Knapper - the Arsenal loans manager as recently as November 2023 - interested in replacing David Wagner with Cuesta.

Knapper and Cuesta reportedly built a strong relationship at Arsenal, and the Canaries could look to test his resolve. Considering the assistant manager's obvious ability and potential, though, Arsenal will attempt to hold onto Arteta's confidante as much as possible.

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Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.