Having had little success as number 1, Gabriel Heinze becomes Arteta's assistant at Arsenal

He'll be back on the pitch, just the pitch, nothing but the pitch, and he's already looking forward to it. No more financial considerations surrounding player transfers. No more finding the right balance in management to avoid offending the stars' sensibilities. And we're not even talking about the obligatory press conferences he abhors. At Arsenal, where he'll be Mikel Arteta's assistant, Gabriel Heinze will be able to refocus on the game. He'll lead training sessions, share his wealth of top-level experience, and will also be in charge of individual development.

The former Argentinian international defender, who notably played for PSG, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Marseille, is thus giving up a number 1 position, held in his country between June 2015 and November 2023, here at Godoy Cruz or Argentinos Junior, there at Velez Sarsfield, more recently at Newell's Old Boys but also in MLS, in Atlanta, to return to Europe, in a championship that suits his ambitions.

At 47, Heinze hasn't necessarily closed the chapter on the man in charge. But his intransigence, the result of a strong character and a "Bielsist" influence (he worships Marcelo Bielsa), has played tricks on him in recent years. This was particularly the case during his time in Atlanta (December 2020 - July 2021), where he quickly came into conflict with the team's star, Venezuelan international striker Josef Martinez. The club's all-time leading scorer had a tendency to get a little too comfortable with the rules established by the Argentine coach, who decided to sanction Martinez. But his management didn't show him much solidarity. Seven months after appointing him, they hid behind a mixed record (2 wins, 7 draws, 4 losses) to thank him.

After a one-year stint at Newell's Old Boys, where he began his playing career, "Gaby" returned to Europe, settling in Madrid in early 2024. He soaked up the matches there, particularly observing Ligue 1, where he was keen to coach. In France, Heinze was offered to a few clubs. Lens, Reims, and Saint-Etienne, in particular, studied his profile. But, once again, the image of a coach who was not always easy to manage, combined with a limited track record, put some off. Not Arteta, however, who already wanted to recruit him as an assistant in the spring of 2024. Arsenal's Spanish manager has known Heinze since their season together in Paris (2001-02) and has maintained contact with him ever since.

Not only does Arteta appreciate his former teammate's competitive spirit, but he also recognizes his propensity to maximize individual potential in a squad. At Velez, Heinze didn't hesitate to field youngsters at the expense of more seasoned players. Under his command, former Lyon player Thiago Almada, Nottingham Forest midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, and striker Matias Vargas, all internationals, have progressed and grown in stature and value.

At the Gunners, the Argentine coach will also have plenty of material and, above all, the confidence of his number 1. This doesn't mean he'll forever be a supporting role. Heinze replaces Carlos Cuesta, recruited by Parma to take charge of the team in Serie A. In the Premier League, assistant coaches often have a position that offers them real exposure and a few offers later on. Mikel Arteta, former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, will be able to confirm this.