Who is Arsenal assistant manager ‘AirPod’ Albert Stuivenberg? Van Gaal’s ex-coach on touchline vs Man City

ARSENAL’S dugout will have an unfamiliar look for the Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Boss Mikel Arteta has tested positive for Covid and will not be at the Emirates for the crunch match – so who is his assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg?

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Arteta said in his post-match briefing before City: “Albert will be in charge. With the rest of the team, it will depend on who is unavailable because there have been so many [Covid] issues in that department recently. Hopefully, everybody will be there to help as much as possible.

“We will be in touch but as well I want to give them the possibility, the responsibility and the freedom to make decisions on the pitch and to express themselves.

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“It’s completely different being on that touchline with the players and the action than being at home. I’m going to be here to support and help in certain moments but they have to get the momentum of the game and communicate with the players themselves.”

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Who is Albert Stuivenberg?

Albert Stuivenberg is the current assistant manager of Arsenal, having been at the club since December 2019.

Stuivenberg was born in Rotterdam, Amsterdam in August 1970, making him 51 years old.

The Dutchman is nicknamed ‘AirPod Albert’ for his wearing of the headphones on the touchline during games.

An injury brought his playing career to an early halt after spells at SC Telstar and HFC Haarlem before he moved into coaching with Feyenoord and then the Holland Under-17 and Under-21 teams.

Stuivenberg was appointed Louis van Gaal’s assistant coach at Manchester United in 2014 alongside assistant manager Ryan Giggs.

After he departed United in 2016 following Van Gaal’s dismissal, Stuivenberg again linked up with Giggs to become Wales’ assistant manager under the former winger in 2018.

Stuivenberg was still Wales assistant in addition to his Arsenal role up until July of this year.

But his sole focus now is on the Gunners after leaving the Welsh set-up after their Euro 2020 campaign.

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