Mikel Arteta ‘in talks’ with Man Utd cult hero and ex-team-mate about becoming Arsenal assistant manager next season

ARSENAL are in talks over appointing Gabriel Heinze as Mikel Arteta’s new assistant, according to reports.

Gunners coaches Albert Stuivenberg and Carlos Cuesta have both been tipped to leave this summer to become managers.

PA:Press AssociationEx-Man Utd star Gabriel Heinze could join Arsenal as a coach[/caption]

ReutersMikel Arteta could need a new assistant if Albert Stuivenberg leaves[/caption]

With Arsenal on the lookout for new staff, reports suggest that Heinze is in the running to replace them at the Emirates.

ESPN Argentina claim Arteta has made contact with the ex-Manchester United star and is trying to persuade Heinze to make the move to Arsenal.

The duo know each other from their days as team-mates at PSG in the 2001/02 season.

Heinze played for Man Utd for three seasons from 2004, making 83 appearances and winning the club’s Player of the Year award in his first campaign.

The 45-year-old former full-back also played for the likes of Real Madrid, Marseille and Roma.

Overall, he won three league titles, including the Premier League in 2006.

Since hanging up his boots ten years ago, Heinze has ventured into management.

He has worked with four clubs in his homeland – Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, Velez Sarsfield and Newell’s Old Boys.

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Heinze also spent a year in charge of MLS side Atlanta United before he was axed.

Meanwhile, Arteta has refused to stand in Stuivenberg and Cuesta’s way should they want to move on.

The boss explained: “You cannot stop them. I wouldn’t, no.

“I think everybody needs to feel that there is a path, there is a development plan for everyone. 

“People don’t want to do the same thing for three, four, five years and there is a way to incentivise people, to inspire other people, and then to explore.

“You don’t really know the limit of a person unless you expose him to certain things. I think curiosity is a really important quality that we have within our young staff.”