Bayer Leverkusen fitness coach leaves to join Arsenal

Bayer Leverkusen fitness coach Jose Jimenez has left Bayer Leverkusen to join Arsenal, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: A general view of the outside of the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Arsenal FC and FC Kairat Almaty at Arsenal Stadium on January 28, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Simon Collings reports that Bayer Leverkusen fitness coach Jose Jimenez has left his role at the German club, and he will be joining Arsenal.

Collings adds that Jimenez previously worked at Cadiz, alongside current Arsenal consultant Joaquin Acedo. Ex-Cadiz staffer Acedo will be working part-time with Arsenal in 2026/27.

Acedo has been running a review of Arsenal’s medical team, with the BBC recently reporting that his influence on the summer changes has been significant.

General view outside the stadium prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 07, 2024 — Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal head of sports science and performance Tom Allen is leaving the club this summer, along with head of medical Zafar Iqbal and lead performance coach Sam Wilson.

Jimenez is seemingly one of the incoming replacements, along with S.C. Braga fitness coach Antonio Gomez.

Reports from Portugal last week confirmed that Gomez had left his role at Braga for Arsenal, and Braga have already filled his position with Ramiro Marin of Barca Atletic.

There have also been links with Real Betis’ Eneko Angulo and Aston Villa’s Arnaldo Abrantes, though those appointments haven’t yet been confirmed.

Pascal De Maesschalck during his time with AS Monaco (Photo via Monaco Life) — Photo via Monaco Life

Then Arsenal have appointed Pascal De Maesschalck as their new academy manager after Per Mertesacker’s exit, though the role is now being referred to as ‘academy director’.

The Arsenal u21 head coach position is also vacant after Max Porter’s move to Stoke City, with David Horseman seemingly taking charge on an interim basis.

Further up the hierarchy, Arsenal are reportedly also bringing in Javier Alonso from Spanish Segunda Division club Granada CF to work alongside Andrea Berta, with Maurizio Micheli already joining from Napoli earlier this year.

Maurizio Micheli (Photo via Fabrizio Romano on Twitter) — Photo via Fabrizio Romano on Twitter

Arsenal icon leaves Disney+ role after just 2 rounds of Champions League coverage
Alex Scott has left Disney+’s Women’s Champions League coverage after just two matches, following public criticism of some production decisions.
Arsenal winger looking forward to Bayern clash
Eberechi Eze is looking forward to facing Bayern Munich next week, and he’s admitted it’s not easy fighting for starts at Arsenal.
Arsenal 30yo feared for his career after latest injury
Mikel Merino has revealed that he feared he might never play football again after his freak foot injury with Arsenal earlier this year.
Arsenal keep winning while the old narratives refuse to disappear
Mikel Arteta’s new deal, Bruno Guimaraes’ impact, two Arsenal wins and a tribute to Ken Friar feature in a busy week for the champions.
Arsenal away kit debut wait goes on – for now
Arsenal are set to wear their third kit against Nottingham Forest this weekend, meaning the wait for the new away kit’s men’s competitive debut is set to continue.