Mikel Arteta’s innovative and novel coaching techniques have come under the microscope on numerous occasions throughout his time in the Arsenal dugout.
However, whatever Mikel Arteta does behind the scenes at Arsenal seems to work, as his side are now considered genuine title contenders and have made an impressive start to the new campaign.
Gary Neville has tipped Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season, and the Gunners certainly already look to be focused upon that aim.
The North London club maintained their 100% start to the new season with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday evening. They were also able to lay some ghosts to rest at Villa Park, having been beaten home and away by the Midlands outfit last time around.
Arsenal legend Robert Pires blamed the dropped points against Aston Villa for the Gunners’ narrow failure to win the title last season. Arteta’s side were able to exact revenge this time around.
However, despite the emotional significance of Saturday’s fixture, the Gunners went into it in a relaxed mood.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on May 17, 2024 in St Albans, England.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Ian Wright surprised at Arsenal training ground
Ian Wright visited the Arsenal training ground, prior to the club’s trip to Villa Park.
Speaking on his Wrighty’s House podcast, the former striker revealed: “I went there on Friday, I went to the training ground. Saw the guys training, spoke to Mikel – they play music, you know? They play music in the warm-up. Loud music, it’s quite interesting to see.
“It’s really cool, and there’s one certain song that comes on, once everybody is warmed up, and then everyone just gets together… Really good, regimented, and military, and precise, and amazing.”
Wright’s recollection suggests that this activity is very much routine at Arsenal. Clearly, the music and the function it plays in instructing the players to gather together after their warm up is all part of the routine in North London.
It is likely that the Spanish coach feels that this musical element helps to energise and excite his players.
Mikel Arteta’s unorthodox methods
Arteta is known to have employed unusual techniques to engage and connect with his players in the past.
Over the course of the summer, Arteta encouraged his Arsenal squad to bond whilst they were on tour in the US by rotating the seating arrangements at every meal time. This forced everyone in the group to mix and get to know one another, avoiding the formation of cliques.
On top of that, and even more bizarrely, Arteta hired pickpockets to target Arsenal players during one meal time. This was done to teach his squad a lesson about the importance of remaining alert and aware at all times.
Clearly, the manager’s techniques are unconventional, but all the signs suggest that they are appreciated by the team.
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