There is seemingly nothing that Mikel Arteta will not do to get the most out of his Arsenal players.
The charismatic Spaniard has transformed the Gunners into title challengers, and he’s used some whacky and weird strategies along the way.
From blasting ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in training ahead of a trip to Anfield to introducing a labrador named ‘Win’, Mikel Arteta is constantly looking for anything that could give his players the edge.
Arsenal players have quickly learned to expect the unexpected under Arteta – and that’s precisely the message he is trying to send to his dressing room.
They have come so close to winning the Premier League title in successive years, but have so far been unable to beat Manchester City to the ultimate prize.
They are now gearing up for another title charge, and Arteta has perhaps introduced his most bizarre strategy yet.
Mikel Arteta’s secret pick-pocket plan
According to The Athletic, Arteta “secretly hired” a team of professional pick-pockets for an organised team dinner.
The pick-pockets were tasked with pinching the player’s valuable items throughout the night, before Arteta stood up and asked his players to empty their pockets.
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A bizarre strategy? Absolutely. But the intention was to teach his squad the importance of being “ready, alert and prepared”.
Players keeping an eye on their belongings in a London restaurant won’t exactly help them find the back of the net next season, sure, but they are certainly characteristics that hold value on a football pitch.
A revolutionary coach
Arsenal should be familiar with revolutionary coaching methods after Arsene Wenger’s tremendous impact on the sport.
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Wenger’s focus was much more on health and sports science than it was pick-pockets at a dinner table, but Arteta’s methods show he will go to any lengths to mold his side into winners.
However whacky and weird it may seem from the outside looking in, it is clearly working for Arteta.
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