Mikel Arteta has lifted the lid on the unconventional training techniques he uses to ensure Arsenal are never caught off guard, revealing that delayed meals, sweltering dressing rooms and sudden changes of routine are all part of his pre-season playbook.
The Arsenal manager's methods were put to the test this week when the club's flight to Naples for their Champions League opener against Napoli was delayed for more than five hours due to air traffic control issues in the UK. The disruption was severe enough to force Arteta to scrap his pre-match press conference, with the squad not arriving in the city until close to 10pm local time. Despite the chaotic build-up, Arsenal extended their remarkable run of 13 consecutive league-stage victories in Europe, edging out Napoli 1-0 courtesy of a second-half strike from Martin Ødegaard.
Speaking afterwards, Arteta explained that such scenarios are deliberately engineered in training so his squad never panics when things go wrong on matchdays. "I love those challenges. I try to create them in pre-season," he said. "So when they happen, we already experience them and we already know. So, get to the stadium very late, change the routine as soon as the players have to do something else... I don't want the players, the staff as well, panicking."
He added that the key lesson for his squad is adaptability rather than complaint. "So, when that happens, adapt to it. 'Okay, we have another two or three hours on the plane, how can we use them?' Play together, spend some time together, sleep, use it, but certainly don't complain and then use it as an excuse because that's not helpful at all."
Arteta, who has previously used tactics such as employing pickpockets during pre-season camps and piping in crowd noise to simulate the atmosphere at Anfield, detailed further examples of his approach. "Just delay the meals, delay the transport, take a different route. We have done many things: make the dressing room hotter, more difficult, more challenging, less [massage] beds," he said, adding that such unpredictability helps the squad cope with genuine matchday stress when it arises.
Attention now turns to Saturday night's Premier League trip to Sunderland, where Arsenal will look to maintain their perfect start to the season. The Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light in the corresponding fixture last season, with Leandro Trossard's goal cancelled out by a late Brian Brobbey equaliser.
On the subject of Trossard, who was in the stands for last week's win over Chelsea before completing a move to Besiktas in July, Arteta reflected on the differing reactions of departing players compared to Gabriel Jesus, who complained of being frozen out before his switch to Barcelona. "Very surprised, to be fair, especially because with Gabriel I had an individual talk in the dressing room," said Arteta. "Sometimes I understand when you have to deliver bad news or news that people don't expect. Somebody has to be the bad cop, if I have to be. I have to be."
On the injury front, Arteta confirmed Ben White has shaken off the discomfort that forced his withdrawal during the Napoli win, with the defender set to be available at Sunderland. There is also encouraging news regarding Jurrien Timber, who has returned to full training after a lengthy lay-off and travelled with the squad to Naples, though he did not feature. Cristhian Mosquera is also nearing a return after deputising for the injured William Saliba, who remains sidelined with a back problem, while Bruno Guimaraes made a substitute appearance in Italy following a minor knock sustained against Aston Villa.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football, Independent Football and Standard Football.