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Per Mertesacker dropped quite the bombshell on Monday when he made his decision to step down as Arsenal academy manager.
It is a huge blow for the club; Per holds the respect of all his Gunners colleagues and they witnessed his natural leadership skills throughout his eight-year term in the role – a commitment to developing the Strong Young Gunners initiative (helping young players fulfil their potential at Arsenal or at other teams if they fail to make the grade) sure to be just one among many high points from his impressive legacy.
But, in true Per style, the shock news came with a heartfelt promise that will help fans and club alike to accept his exit: he will stay in his post until the end of the 2025/26 season and, in his own words, will continue to “nurture and develop” young talent at Arsenal until his “very last day” at N5 in order to ensure a seamless transition.
That is the mindset of someone who truly cares about the club and its future. By staying on, Per gives Arsenal time to plan for his successor, thus achieving minimal off-field disruption in the short term as well as granting KSE the freedom to carefully select the best person for the job (that sort of judicious thinking saw them hit the jackpot with Andrea Berta last March).
Per Mertesacker's Arsenal promise softens the blow caused by his surprise exit announcement
Furthermore, it signals his appreciation of the link between Hale End and the first team. His ongoing tenure should only help those on the cusp of first-team football – e.g. Max Dowman and Josh Nichols – to keep up their gradual assimilation and, thereby, soon follow in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri or Myles Lewis-Skelly by being regulars in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Love and loyalty seem to count for very little in football today, but they are long ensconced in Arsenal DNA and few epitomise it like Per Mertesacker. His promises give the club a great chance to push the academy on to bigger and better things upon his departure – they must not let that sort of affection count for naught.
Best of luck, Per!