Per Mertesacker is set to exit Arsenal at the end of this season.

The popular German will leave his role as the Academy Manager in May, after eight years in the role. 

Per has been in charge of the club's academy since 2018 and has seen players such as Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman break through, among so many others. 

Per said: “Arsenal is and will always be a very special club to me, so this was a difficult decision.

"I am very thankful for the trust the club put in me when transitioning from a first-team player directly into the role as Head of Academy.  

The German defender played over 200 times for Arsenal, and won the FA Cup three times under Arsene Wenger.

" Now it is time for me to move on and explore something new and push myself even further," he added. 

“I remain focused on finishing the season strongly, continuing to nurture and develop our young talent and support a seamless transition until my very last day with the club."