Arteta in fight to hang on to Arsenal's 'secret weapon' after interest emerges
Mikel Arteta's assistant, Carlos Cuesta, is on the radar of Norwich City and several other Championship clubs ahead of the summer.
The Spaniard, 28, joined Arsenal from Juventus in 2020 and has quickly grown into one of Arteta's closest confidantes. He's widely regarded as one of the world's best coaches and boasts a wealth of experience after starting his coaching career as an 18-year-old at Atletico Madrid.
Cuesta, who speaks six different languages, is Arsenal's individual development coach; a role that primarily focuses on improving players' tactical understanding and technique. He is understood to have played an influential part in the club's ascent in recent years, but his talents have not gone unnoticed elsewhere.
A new report from The Guardian has revealed that Norwich are interested in offering Cuesta his first managerial post at the end of the season. The Canaries are currently seventh in the Championship but have endured an indifferent campaign under David Wagner.
The German was booed by some home fans during Tuesday night's 4-2 win over Watford after substituting Josh Sargent and Onel Hernandez. He responded by telling unhappy supporters to stay away post-match in a move which is unlikely to defuse tensions.
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Norwich's interest in Cuesta is driven by the club's new sporting director Ben Knapper, who was previously Arsenal's loan manager. He developed a positive relationship with Cuesta, who is understood to be open to the possibility of branching out on his own.
It's unlikely any approach would be made until the summer, with Cuesta unlikely to consider leaving Arsenal mid-season. That means Wagner is likely to be given a reprieve for now.
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Mikel Arteta would be loathe to lose one of his most trusted members of staff (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC)There is also further interest in Cuesta's services in the Championship, with several clubs said to be mindful of the Arsenal man ahead of the summer. The Gunners want to keep him at the club, though and are unlikely to be receptive to any approaches.
Cuesta, who already owns a UEFA Pro License, initially met Arteta during a visit to Manchester City when the Spaniard was on Pep Guardiola's coaching team. He has since established himself as Arsenal's secret weapon and was influential in last year's title bid.
After coming up short last term, Arsenal are determined to go one better in the Premier League this season. The Gunners are currently third in the table, level on points with City and two behind league leaders Liverpool.
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