By Alan Smith Cameron Winstanley
Mikel Arteta’s coaching team is set to be strengthened by the arrival of former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze ahead of the new season . However, the Gunners are saying goodbye to Takehiro Tomiyasu following a surprising mutual agreement to terminate his contract 12 months early. The Japanese defender battled with injury for much of last season, and it remains unclear why the decision has been made to part ways, especially given Arteta’s consistent praise throughout his time in North London. Meanwhile, Arsenal will also not be selling Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard in the summer window, with the focus remaining on bolstering their attack with just over a month until the new Premier League season kicks off. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest Arsenal transfer news. Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will depart the club after an agreement was reached to terminate his contract. Tomiyasu, 26, played only six minutes of football last season following knee surgery in 2023. The defender is expected to be sidelined for another five months after undergoing another operation in February. Tomiyasu’s current deal was due to expire at the end of next season, but he will leave the Emirates a year early. The Japan international joined Arsenal from Italian side Bologna in 2021 for 拢16million plus potential add-ons, turning down rivals Tottenham . Arsenal have no plans to sell Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard this summer as things stand – but five fringe players are expected to be moved on before the transfer window closes. The Gunners have big plans this summer after finishing second in the Premier League for a third consecutive year and strengthening in attack is a priority. The club are searching for a new No.9 and an elite-level left winger, with further additions in midfield also planned. Talk that Arsenal are looking for new faces in attack has sparked speculation over some of Arteta ‘s current players. But two of his forwards will not be allowed to leave. Former Manchester United star Gabriel Heinze will be added to Arteta’s coaching staff ahead of the new season. The Gunners have already had a coaching reshuffle ahead of the upcoming campaign with former assistant Carlos Cuesta having departed for Parma. That departure has left Arteta with a vacancy to fill and it appears that he has turned to someone that he knows quite well in Heinze. As per The Athletic , the former Red Devils defender is set to be appointed at the Emirates as a replacement for Cuesta. Arteta and Heinze already have a prior relationship having been teammates at French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta has opened up about the profound influence certain Argentinian figures had on his career, stating: “The other inspirations were (Mauricio) Pochettino and Heinze, those two were next to me all the time, behind me, and they were guiding me in everything I had to do in my professional life, how I had to understand the game and they were inspirational to me.”