An image from the Arsenal dressing room has been leaked showing the players engaging in another of Mikel Arteta’s whacky pre-match motivational concepts.
Arteta’s management at Arsenal has seen the club claim successive Premier League runners-up spots.
Lauded among the finest young tacticians in world football, Arteta’s management also looks to have a personal touch.
Advert
Indeed, the Amazon Prime ‘All or Nothing: Arsenal’ documentary documented behind the scenes of the Gunners’ 2021-22 campaign and displayed several unique methods Arteta adopts to motivate his squad.
In one scene the Spaniard asks his players to hold hands to create “energy”. In another, Arteta sketches out a cartoon of a heart, a brain and an Arsenal fan, with the word "energy" connecting them all.
At one point Arteta even asks team photographer and lifelong fan Stuart MacFarlane to deliver a speech ahead of a game against Norwich.
And it seems the Arsenal boss has continued to adopt his innovative pre-match team talks into last term, with a behind-the-scenes picture of the team circulating on social media.
Advert
The Arsenal squad are pictured standing on the dressing room seats, each holding aloft a section of a red banner decorated with the Gunner logo.
On his team talks, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale told BBC Sport back in August 2022: "Arteta's team talks are definitely different.
“I think he keeps it fresh because sometimes he is writing, sometimes he talks, sometimes he lets some of the lads talk and whatnot.
Advert
“It keeps you engaged and lets you into his life as well. He is probably the most approachable manager I've had."
SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated transfer news channel to send you the latest deals, rumours and more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League
Chris Byfield