Arsenal are no strangers to pursuing Manchester City stars and staff under Mikel Arteta, and they are set to do so once again ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Arteta has
launched a fifth raid on Manchester City as Arsenal aim to gain a title advantage.
The Gunners have battled City for the Premier League title over the past two years but have been left frustrated each time. It seems Arteta has adopted the approach of ‘if you can’t beat them, sign them.’ According to The Athletic, the North London club has targeted Manchester City’s elite development squad analyst Darren Rogerson.
Rogerson is set to move to the Emirates Stadium this summer and will begin working with Arteta’s first team in the early months of the new campaign. He previously worked with Sheffield United, Rangers, and Derby and was with Manchester City’s under-18s before moving up to the elite development squad. Rogerson is not the only City staff member to swap the Etihad for the Emirates recently.
Ben Chadwick left City to become Arsenal’s head of analysis, having held the same role under Pep Guardiola. Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has also made a significant impact, having followed Arteta to London from Manchester City.
When asked by TNT Sports when he realised the importance of set pieces, Arteta explained, “Many years ago, especially when I was at City. I believed we needed someone who specialised in that area, and I advised to recruit Nico. We discussed how to integrate set pieces into open play, as they are connected in the game. I knew Nico from before, invited him to join our project, and he’s had a strong impact on the team.”
Beyond coaches, Arsenal have also signed a few Manchester City players in recent years. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus moved to Arsenal in a £45m transfer two years ago. However, injuries have hampered his contributions, limiting him to just 19 goals in 69 appearances across all competitions. Jesus has recently been linked with a move to Saudi side Al-Ahli.
Jesus was joined at the Emirates by former Manchester City teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has also faced injury issues with Arsenal.
