German Castanos has become a source of creative thinking within Mikel Arteta's Arsenal staff, according to a VnExpress profile drawing on reporting by the Telegraph and Clarin. The Argentine adviser is described as an observer who challenges familiar approaches and offers alternative ideas.
His work with Arsenal began after a meeting with Arteta in 2022, placing the role within an established relationship rather than a new appointment.
Books led to contact with the coaching staff
The profile cites Clarin's account that set-piece coach Nicolas Jover discovered Castanos through his books, including one about Pep Guardiola's use of ideas. A video conversation was followed by a meeting with Arsenal's coaching team.
Castanos recalled that he did not speak English at the time, but the exchange still connected with Arteta. He now divides his working time between Necochea in Argentina and north London.
His background includes handball coaching, designing creative-thinking games for television and work in innovation. He has also written about training instinctive responses and takes an interest in neuroscience.
Observation supports discussion
At Arsenal, Castanos is described as attending training and team meetings with a notebook, identifying potential improvements and suggesting different approaches. The profile links his influence with the wider culture behind Arteta's unconventional preparation exercises.
Examples include using professional pickpockets to illustrate vigilance and staging difficult external situations during pre-season. These describe the team's approach to preparation rather than prove the effect of any individual method.
The Telegraph portrays Castanos as a trusted person Arteta consults for ideas and debate. The precise details of his contribution remain largely private, but the account presents him as an additional voice within the coaching group.