Arsenal fans were shocked at the latest revelation about Mikel Arteta’s coaching methods, with the manager going to bizarre lengths to keep his squad focused.
It emerged that Arteta once hired pickpockets at an Arsenal squad dinner to teach his players the importance of staying alert, in a hilarious move.
Arsenal fans began questioning whether Arteta had gone too far this time, but this was not the first time he employed an unusual tactic in his coaching, and his methods clearly have merit.
Since he became Arsenal manager in 2019, Arteta has rebuilt the squad into one which is challenging for the title, with a roster of young players who have shown the mentality to compete at the top level.
Throughout his reign, Arteta has employed several odd mechanisms to motivate his squad including the pickpocketing story, and whilst some were unsuccessful, some earned praise for their ingenuity.
When Mikel Arteta encouraged Arsenal to play with ‘heart and brain’
The 2022 Amazon documentary following the Arsenal squad around was a real eye-opener into Arteta’s methods, and fans particularly enjoyed one of his team talks before a victorious North London derby.
Arteta encouraged his side to play with “heart” and “brain,” and drew a diagram on a whiteboard detailing “passion,” “clarity” and “energy.”
Arsenal won the derby 3-1, in one of the most impressive performances under Arteta in his earlier years at the club.
Mikel Arteta called for revenge on Ivan Toney
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Brentford attacker Ivan Toney, but question marks about his character meant that no deal has been pursued this summer.
After Arsenal lost to Brentford at the start of 2021-22, Toney sent a tweet to anger Arsenal fans, claiming that their win was a “nice kickabout with the boys.”
When Arsenal played Brentford later that season, Arteta put Toney’s tweet up during his team talk, and this clearly motivated his side as they went on to win 2-1
Mikel Arteta signed a dog for the Arsenal squad
One of Arteta’s most popular signings has been a dog, as he brought a chocolate labrador to join the squad last year, and named her ‘win.’
Arteta’s decision to bring in a squad dog was derided by many, but the players are all on board with the idea, but former midfielder Mohamed Elneny was reportedly not so keen.
“He’s always thinking outside the box and he’s looking after us in the different ways that he can,” Ben White stated of Arteta last year.
“(It’s) Probably me, to be fair, [who spends the most time with Win].
“There’s a few boys that are scared of her. She’s not the scariest of looking dogs. I think Mo (Elneny) is, Mo’s scared.”
- READ MORE: All Mikel Arteta signings at Arsenal ranked from worst to best
Mikel Arteta used a lightbulb in a team talk
Arteta has been keen on creating a squad that is united in the dressing room, and he drew on a very important invention to do so.
Before a game against Brighton in 2021, Arteta used a lit lightbulb to illustrate the idea of collectiveness within the squad in his team talk.
“(Thomas) Edison invented the light bulb. Today I want to see a team that is connected because a bulb by itself is nothing. I want to see a team that is connected with each other and that shines,” he stated, whilst holding a lightbulb.
“And you want to transmit to him (your team-mate) light and energy and passion and how you play football, and you two the same. And each of us plays the game connected, because what happens when we play connected, guys?
“What is the next thing that happens? That we connect with 60,000 people (the fans) who create more energy.”
Mikel Arteta was berated for playing Liverpool’s anthem in training
In November 2021, Arteta’s young side faced a tough trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, where they had a poor record.
Arteta did not want his side to feel overawed by the occasion, and played Liverpool’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in training.
Arsenal did lose that game 4-0, but have been unbeaten at Anfield since. Nevertheless, this move attracted criticism from rivals.
Jamie Carragher referenced the idea before Arsenal went to Anfield last year, claiming that it was a compliment to Liverpool.
Arteta emphasised the importance of an olive tree at Arsenal
Arteta revealed last year that he sometimes brings an olive tree to team meetings, and that there is a tree in the club which requires careful maintenance.
“Another symbol at the club is our tree. It needs a lot of care as well. It’s an olive tree, it’s older than 150 years, similar to the club, and we have to look after those roots every single to the day, make sure they don’t get poisoned, don’t get damaged and it’s in the right condition,” he stated in a press conference in May 2023.
Arteta spotted the tree out a window at the training ground, and reportedly requested a smaller one which he could bring to team meetings to motivate his squad.
Arteta made the Arsenal squad hold hands with each other
Arsenal recorded a fine victory away at Leicester City in October 2021, and this was preceded by some odd motivational techniques from Arteta.
Arteta made the squad close their eyes and hold hands with each other, to create a sense of shared energy.
“We are going to do something, guys. We are going to get all the energy in this room together,” he told his squad before the game.
“When I tell you I want you to start to do this. I want you to close your eyes and I am going to tell you what is going to happen in the game.
“And after that you are going to grab each other’s hands and we are going to create energy in a bubble and we are going to play there. Close your eyes.”
Arsenal won 2-0, and this kicked off an improved run of form which ultimately led to the team he has built now, which is going toe to toe with Manchester City, and the players clearly buy into his eccentric ways.
