27 Years Old Arsenal Coach has become secret weapon in Premier League title charge

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is doing an amazing job, but he is not a one man band.

The Gunners are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League after recently overcoming Manchester United in a pulsating clash at the Emirates Stadium. It was the kind of result which converts hopeful optimism into rampant expectation.

But while Arteta is the one taking most of the credit, the former Manchester City assistant manager would be the first to admit he is not doing everything on his own. 

In fact, one of his most influential lieutenants is younger than many of the current crop of talent at Arteta's disposal.

Carlos Cuesta has played a huge role in the Gunners’ title chase. Entrusted with ensuring every player is either improving or performing up to scratch, the 27-year-old is Arsenal’s individual development coach.

Many of the improved performances this season, including the incredible transformation of Granit Xhaka and many others, will likely have Cuesta’s fingerprints all over it. Cuesta’s ascent up the coaching ladder of European football began when he started his coaching badges at the age of 18-years-old.

As well as being the proud owner of a UEFA pro licence, he also has invaluable experience coaching at Atletico Madrid and Juventus. Cuesta and Arteta first crossed paths when the latter was working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

While Arteta was a young aspiring manager at the time, Cuesta was a 24-year-old coaching prodigy still looking for his next opportunity. Around three years later, they may very well be on the cusp of winning Arsenal’s first Premier League title since 2004.