Mikel Arteta is about to lose a key member of his backroom staff, as Italian club Parma is closing in on the signing of his assistant Carlos Cuesta.
At 29, the Spaniard, who joined Arteta’s staff in 2020, is likely to become the youngest Serie A manager this century, following Elio Loschi, who took over Triestina in 1939 at the age of 29 years, nine months, and twenty days.
His departure will be a big blow to the Arsenal manager ahead of what may be a watershed moment in his career at the Emirates.
According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between Arsenal and Parma are in the ‘final stages’.
Cuesta has helped Arteta transform the north Londoners into championship contenders since his arrival in 2020, following strong spells at Atletico Madrid and Juventus, where he served as Under 17s assistant manager.
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However, he faces a difficult assignment in turning around the fortunes of a club still remembered for its star-studded 1990s squad, which ended 16th last season, only five points above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Arteta is under pressure to win his first major title after leading the team to the FA Cup in his first few months as manager in 2020.
Since then, the Gunners have made significant improvements and established themselves as one of Europe’s finest teams, but silverware has eluded them.
The club is looking to invest in a new striker to help their efforts and has been connected with the signings of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
However, the professions of purpose of their likely title opponents, Liverpool and Manchester City, will have given fans little hope of ending their 22-year wait for a top-flight trophy.
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