Arsenal are expecting to have to fend off interest in Mikel Arteta’s assistant Carlos Cuesta from Norwich and other Championship teams at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Juventus in 2020 and speaks six languages, is rated as one of the world’s best young coaches and could be tempted by an opportunity to take his first senior role after almost four years working under Arteta.
It is understood that Norwich, whose sporting director, Ben Knapper, was the loans manager at Arsenal before moving to Carrow Road in November, are interested in offering Cuesta the manager’s post at the end of the season after a mixed campaign so far under David Wagner.
The German was critical of a section of the club’s support after watching his side recover from losing a two-goal lead to beat Watford 4-2 on Tuesday. They are outside the playoffs on goal difference and Wagner’s job is not believed to be under immediate threat given that Cuesta is only likely to consider an approach when this season is completed.
Cuesta, who began coaching at Atlético Madrid in 2014 as an 18-year-old, is believed to be open to working with Knapper again after building a strong relationship with him at Arsenal. Several other Championship sides are also thought to have shown an interest in Cuesta taking over in the summer, although Arsenal are believed to be determined to resist any approaches.
Cuesta is one of Arteta’s closest confidantes and has been credited with helping to transform Arsenal into title contenders through his role as individual development coach, with a heavy focus on improving tactical understanding.
“Carlos can understand the players because he is also young,” said the Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest, in 2022’s All or Nothing documentary. “He helps me get better and better.”
