09 January 2023 , 10:01
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Arsenal have reportedly appointed Lionel Messi ’s body double as Mikel Arteta continues a backroom refresh at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spaniard is currently in the midst of a hugely impressive campaign having led the Gunners to the top of the Premier League title and are now a viable challenger to Manchester City to lift the title come the end of the campaign. Whilst the current season is not even halfway through as of yet, it appears that the Arsenal boss is already making plans for next season with a move for a new staff member.
According to The Athletic, the North London side have appointed former footballer Hussein Isa to the role of attacking-phase coach. Also known as the “Tekkers Guru”, the 34-year-old has developed a considerable online presence with his skills and free-kick ability.
He has played youth football for the Queens Park Rangers academy and Tottenham before going on to represent Barnet, Dartford, Cray Wanderers, Romford and Hashtag United. Away from that, he has also accumulated 28 caps for the England futsal side and has also stood-in for the likes of Messi and Sergio Aguero in TV adverts.
Isa, who will officially start his role with Arsenal ahead of the 2023/24 season, is apparently set to work at close quarters with the Gunners’ first-team stars and most promising young attacking talents. His official remit will be to help them develop technical aspects of their game such as their touch, shooting and heading.
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Arsenal have already scored 40 goals in the Premier League this season with only Manchester City having scored more with 45 to their name. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli are all leading the way this term with seven strikes to their name each.
Former Hashtag United star Hussein Isa is set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium (Hashtag United / YouTube)What XI should Mikel Arteta put out for Arsenal's clash with Oxford United? Make your suggestions in the comments
Summer signing Gabriel Jesus is currently restricted to the sidelines due to injury having netted five goals since his switch from Man City. The Gunners remain keen to add further offensive bodies to their squad amid the Brazilian’s ongoing issues.
Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix has been linked with making a loan switch to the Emirates Stadium with Manchester United also interested. The Red Devils could have handed the Gunners a huge boost to their hopes of signing the Portuguese forward with a loan move for Burnley striker Wout Weghorst in the offing.
Arteta will certainly hope that his forwards are firing as his side kick-off their latest venture into the FA Cup with a clash against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on Monday. The Spaniard lifted the trophy in his first season in charge but the Gunners have failed to progress past the fourth round in each of the last two seasons - then Championship side Nottingham Forest eliminating them at the first hurdle last term.