Arsenal have appointed Hussein Isa – once Lionel Messi’s body double – as their new attacking phase coach for senior and youth players.
The Athletic report that Arsenal have already struck a deal with Isa, who will provide ‘specialist assistance’ to Arsenal’s attacking players.
This role will see Isa work with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.
Emerging youth prospects will also be under Isa’s watchful eye though, with the likes of Amario Cozier-Duberry and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji springing to mind.
Isa – known as ‘Tekkers Guru’ – previously admitted to Hashtag United that he has his own academy, but he will now take his coaching ability to another level with Arsenal.
WHO IS NEW ARSENAL COACH HUSSEIN ISA?
Isa, 34, is a former youth player with both Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur.
Isa later had spells with the likes of Barnet, Staines Town, Dartford, Cray Wanderers, Romford, Canvey Island and Hashtag United.
During his career in the non-league, Isa was known as a deal ball specialist and was even called ‘non league’s Dimitri Payet’ by The Mirror in 2016.
Having been a PE teacher in his non-league days, Isa has turned to football coaching with the likes of QPR and Crystal Palace.
Isa has even turned out for the England futsal team, recording 28 caps.
One very interesting fact about Isa is that he has a history of being a body double for other players.
Isa was flown off to Barcelona in 2011 having been picked to be Lionel Messi’s body double for an Adidas advert.
Isa has also been a stand-in for the likes of Sergio Aguero and Eden Hazard, which is something few can claim!
We can imagine that Arsenal players will have a thing or two to say about that around the training ground, and fans will hope that he can bring some Messi magic to North London as he teaches Gunners attackers.
Ex-Arsenal star gets sent off during a match at his own charity tournament
Former Arsenal star Lukas Podolski was recently sent off during his own charity football tournament after angrily confronting a referee.
The ex-Germany international was competing in the Schauinsland Reisen Cup with his current side Górnik Zabrze, as they faced off with five other European outfits on an indoor pitch.
Podolski has been involved in the initiative for many years however, in their semi-final clash with Rot-Weiss Essen, things took a turn for the worse for the former Gunner.
Lukas Podolski was sent off after confronting a referee during his own charity tournament
The ex-Arsenal star was giving his marching orders and climbed over the advertising boards
The intense clash was full of fouls and eventually saw three penalties get awarded – which some players felt was unjust, Podolski included.
However, incensed by the decision, Podoloski refuted the referee’s call and instead marched over and began angrily disputing.
In reaction, the referee brandished a red card to the former Arsenal star – who complied and made his way off the pitch and over the barrier.
However, his displays didn’t stop there, as the ex-Germany star continued to show his displeasure by throwing water over the pitch and in the direction of officials.
Podolski was incensed by the decision as he stood on the sidelines with his team-mates
The forward threw water over the pitch and in the direction of match officials on the side-line
Podolski’s side, Górnik Zabrze, played the rest of the match with one player less than their opponents and it proved costly as Rot-Weiss Essen scored moment’s later.
Gornik went on to play 1. FC Kaan Marienborn in the third place play-off – which they won – whilst Essen defeated Blau-Weiss Lohne 8-3 in the final.
Podolski has spent the last two seasons playing for the Polish side following stints at Antalyaspor, Vissel Kobe and Galatasaray.
The 37-year-old spent three years in north London with Arsenal and scored 31 goals in 82 games in all competitions. He also won an FA Cup with the Gunners.
Podolski spent three years with Arsenal, scoring 31 goals across 82 games in all competitions
SOURCE: hitc.com, dailymail.co.uk
