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Featured Image Credit: Image: Amazon Prime Video
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League
Josh Lawless
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League
Arsenal's club photographer gave a goosebumps-inducing team talk ahead of the North London derby win over Spurs last season.
The Gunners hosted their rivals at the Emirates in the first derby of the season back in September and were out of the blocks straight away.
Arsenal were 3-0 up after 34 minutes courtesy of goals from Emile Smith-Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka.
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And footage from Amazon's All or Nothing documentary on Arsenal might just serve as an explanation for why Arsenal were so fired up.
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That's because manager Mikel Arteta got veteran photographer Stuart MacFarlane to give a rousing, emotional speech.
The lifelong Gunner and long-time club employee got the final word and reiterated to the players what the derby means to the fans.
Holding MacFarlane's camera in the air, Arteta addressed the squad, saying: "This guy, for the last 30 years has captured emotions, emotions and teams.
"I want you to hear from him what he thinks about you because he sees you every day around our club."
MacFarlane, speaking right from the heart and with plenty of passion, uttered words of wisdom.
"It's tough. This is my club. 'I f*****g love this football club and I f******g love all of you.
'In 30 years, I have photographed some unbelievable players, some world class players, some great teams. I look at you lot, this is a great team.
"I've been a fan my whole life. This is what we have to do, we have to go out and win.
'This is me. I am a fan. This lot outside… they would give anything to f*****g win today. Look at them.
'First f*****g tackle, listen to the crowd, they will f*****g be on you straight away. Win every tackle.
"When you score, look in their faces. Look at how much they love you and show them how much you love them. Okay?"
There was then an eruption of noise as Arsenal players got geed up. Saka went over to MacFarlane to share a wonderful embrace with him.
The actions of Arteta and his unorthodox methods explain why he's earned the "freak" nickname at the club.
One of his other team talks shown in the docuseries sees him ask his players to rub their palms together in a bid to create good energy prior to a 2-0 win over Leicester.
He also blasted Liverpool's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' anthem over the speakers in training to prepare the squad for the Anfield atmosphere and motivated players by opening up about his life-saving heart surgery.