Mikel Arteta details unconventional Arsenal preparation tactics

sportsSep 11, 202639252

Mikel Arteta said he deliberately creates matchday and pre-season challenges for Arsenal, including delaying players' meals, changing transport routes, making the dressing room hotter and removing some massage beds, so the squad learns to adapt when things go wrong. He cited this week’s flight to Naples, delayed more than five hours by the UK air traffic control incident, which forced him to cancel a pre-match press conference after the squad arrived just before 10pm local time; the disruption did not stop Arsenal winning as Martin Ødegaard scored a second-half winner to make it 13 successive European league-stage victories. Arteta recalled other unconventional preparations such as using pickpockets on training camps and pumping crowd noise through speakers to simulate Anfield, and said he trains players to use unexpected time effectively, “OK, we have another two or three hours on the plane, how can we use them?”, rather than complain. Arsenal travel to Sunderland on Saturday looking to maintain a 100 percent start to the new campaign after last season’s 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. Arteta also addressed squad dynamics, noting he had an individual dressing-room conversation with Gabriel Jesus when the forward left for Barcelona and expressing surprise at some public comments about that move.

arseblog

@arseblog.com

Whatever else you might say about Mikel Arteta, he has the patience of a saint when it comes to the bullshit spewed at him by Sky's Gary Cotterill in the press conferences every week.

1094h ago

Fozzie5

Is it 'how does it feel when you're champions but we focus all of our broadcast time on our favourites in the NW?'

Ｒ. Ｊ. ＭＡＣＲＥＡＤＹ4

The used car salesman of sports reporting.

pilgrimrob.bsky.social3

He really does Cotterill is such an idiot it's embarrassing. I am sure the other journalists must cringe, but Mikel remains professional....

Jason 🌻3

“I have some questions, I think they’re really clever, but you’ll probably think I’m stupid”

cjlord.bsky.social1

I’ve heard people say Arteta can be bit distant with journalists sometimes and seems like he isn’t a fan of press conferences. And I’m like are you really surprised, wouldn’t you be if you had to put up with that guy once a week every week for 10 months!?

Jan Emmanuel-Thomas 🚀1

Yes would not be that nice. But I guess he has to so people can’t say he’s a monster

now.arsenal

@nowarsenal.bsky.social

A photo that speaks a thousand words. Arsenal in their prime while others are being left behind. As Mikel Arteta said many times: “it’s all about timing”. He planned for this. He knew.

36Yesterday

Miguel Delaney

@migueldelaney.bsky.social

Maybe this is what has been missing for Arsenal, as Arteta knows the equation is a bit different than just trying to match PSG www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

28Yesterday

Philarsopher

@philarsopher.bsky.social

People massively underappreciate just how mad a perfectionist Mikel Arteta is.

20Yesterday

Daily Cannon

@dailycannon.com

OptaJoe highlights that Arsenal’s 3.81 open-play xG against Napoli was the most accumulated by an away side in a Champions League game since the start of 2021/22. dailycannon.com/2026/09/napo...

17Yesterday

Orbinho

@orbinho.bsky.social

Mikel Arteta was sent off for Arsenal in the only match where Napoli managed to beat Arsenal, 0-2 in December 2013, picking up two yellow cards. #NAPARS

13Yesterday

Prashant 🌊

@prasshant.bsky.social

Mikel Arteta says, he deliberately sabotaged Arsenal's match preparations during pre-season to prepare them for the campaign. He manufactured travel delays, turned up the temperature in the dressing room, removed massage tables, delayed meals... 😂

84h ago

@ArseVengers2

Feels like a VERY stupid thing to admit, please tell me this isn't true

Jason 🌻1

I think he was taking the piss out of the journalists.

Fabrizio Romano (MIRROR)

@fabrizioromano.yopro20.com

⭐️ Mikel Arteta: “If there is a player in Napoli that is one of my favourite ever players, that is Kevin De Bruyne… I had the luxury to train him and to be with him almost four years”. “He’s one of the best midfielders EVER, and it’s still a joy to watch Kevin play”.

7Yesterday

Haris

@afcmhr.bsky.social

Mikel Arteta admits he was “very surprised” by comments made by Gabriel Jesus and Ian Wright on behalf of Gabriel Martinelli. [🎥 - Hayters TV]

43h ago

Saffermaster 🏆

@saffermaster.bsky.social

Mikel Arteta has built a great team. There is quality in every position, but also balance, discipline and a very strong mentality. They know how to manage games, protect a lead and punish you when you make even a small mistake.

412h ago

Rohan Jivan

@rohanjivan.bsky.social

Has Mikel Arteta released the handbrake? 🤔 Mainstream coverage suggests that Arsenal have changed, with greater freedom now supposedly afforded. Here is my perspective, which you can read by clicking on the link ⬇️ 🔗 rohanjivanafc.substack.com/p/has-mikel-...

2Yesterday

Arsenal football fans

@arsenallive.bsky.social

🏆 World Cup radar: Arteta reveals he 'sabotaged' Arsenal's pre-season to prepare for chaos Agree or disagree? #Arsenal #COYG #MikelArteta

13h ago

Arsenal Insider

@arsenalinsider.com

It’s fair to say Mikel Arteta isn’t normal. We already know about his eccentric methods when trying to gain any sort of advantage for his... #Arsenal #AFC #Football

13h ago