Arsenal’s medical overhaul gains Bayer Leverkusen fitness guru

In a bustling training complex, Bayer Leverkusen’s fitness coach Jose Jimenez packs his bag, ready to depart for north London. The German club confirmed Jimenez’s exit and his immediate appointment at Arsenal, a move highlighted by a Clive Mason/Getty Images photograph.

Simon Collings reported that Jimenez leaves his role at the German side to join Arsenal’s backroom staff. Before the switch, he spent time at Cadiz, working alongside current Arsenal consultant Joaquin Acedo.

Acedo will serve Arsenal part‑time in the 2026/27 season, overseeing a review of the club’s medical department. The BBC recently noted his significant influence on Arsenal’s summer personnel changes. A related image was supplied by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images.

Arsenal’s head of sports science and performance Tom Allen, head of medical Zafar Iqbal and lead performance coach Sam Wilson are all set to leave this summer. Jimenez is expected to be one of their replacements, joining fellow newcomer Antonio Gomez from S.C. Braga. Gomez’s departure from Portugal’s Braga was confirmed last week, and Braga have already filled his vacancy with Ramiro Marin of Barca Atletic.

Further speculation links Real Betis’ Eneko Angulo and Aston Villa’s Arnaldo Abrantes to Arsenal, though no appointments have been confirmed. A photo credited to Monaco Life accompanied the report, and the article noted, Then Arsenal have appointed Pascal De Maesschalck as academy director after Per Mertesacker’s exit. The u21 head coach role also opened after Max Porter moved to Stoke City, with David Horseman stepping in on an interim basis.

At senior level, Javier Alonso arrives from Spanish Segunda Division side Granada CF to work with Andrea Berta. Maurizio Micheli, who joined from Napoli earlier this year, also remains on the staff. The announcement was illustrated with a photo via Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.