Arsenal Legend Per Mertesacker to Step Down as Academy Head Arsenal has officially announced that Per Mertesacker will vacate his role as Academy Manager at the end of the 2025/26 season. After eight years leading the youth setup at Hale End, the former German defender confirmed his decision on Monday, expressing deep gratitude for the club’s trust. Mertesacker, who transitioned directly from player to academy chief in 2018, has been credited with modernizing the club’s development pipeline. While his successor has not yet been named, the club confirmed Mertesacker will remain in his post through the summer to ensure a smooth transition.
Since joining from Werder Bremen in 2011, Per Mertesacker established himself as a cornerstone of the Arsenal defense. Standing as a commanding presence at the back, he was celebrated for his elite reading of the game and composed distribution.
Over a seven-year playing career, he made more than 170 Premier League appearances and scored nine goals—frequently using his height to convert vital set-piece headers. A natural leader, he captained the side to three FA Cup titles and three Community Shields. Upon retiring in 2018, Mertesacker transitioned into a leadership role as Head of the Academy, where he has spent the last eight years bridging the gap between Hale End and the first team.
