Mikel Arteta has once again demonstrated his penchant for unconventional training approaches, as Arsenal players engaged in a series of unusual exercises on Monday.
Throughout his time as manager, Arteta has earned a reputation for implementing distinctive and sometimes unexpected strategies to maximize the performance of his team. In the past, he even enlisted pickpockets to enhance players’ situational awareness on the field.
In light of recent setbacks—Arsenal’s defeats to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final—the Spanish coach appears determined to revitalize the squad with fresh tactics.
Footage broadcast by Sky Sports revealed groups of Arsenal players balancing a ball between their heads as they maneuvered across the pitch, showcasing one of the more curious techniques in Arteta’s arsenal.
Another drill involved players racing back to participate in an exercise where they held pens between their fingertips, attempting to pass the ball to one another while navigating the field. These inventive drills underscore Arteta’s commitment to keeping his training sessions engaging and challenging.
Clips showed players in groups of four holding a ball between all of their heads while trying to move across the pitch
Arsenal players were also seen training with pens between their fingers on Monday
The drills, while odd, could be perceived as a test of concentration. The players are having to focus on several things at once, while still getting the job done.
However, football fans have been quick to mock Arteta’s latest unconventional exercises, with one labelling them his newest ‘gimmick’.
One social media user responded to the clip, which has gone viral on X, saying: ‘And you want to win the Champions League with this kind of training.’
Another added: ‘This training will still result in disaster.’
Arteta is on a mission to guide Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years – having seen his side fail in both domestic competitions in the past month – and is evidently doing everything, including the weird and wacky, to achieve that goal.
The Spaniard has previously used other unorthodox methods, which included hiring professional pickpockets to steal from his own players at a team dinner to teach them a lesson in being alert at all times.
He has also infamously played ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on loudspeakers during a training session in an attempt to familiarise his players with the intimidating atmosphere at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium before an away game there.
Arsenal players were also subjected to a rallying team talk where Arteta pulled out a lightbulb and waved it around the dressing room to symbolise how he wanted his team to play with ‘energy’ and ‘electricity’.
And as recently as last September, Arteta revealed plans to enlist the help of RAF fighter pilots to improve communication.
Speaking at an event alongside his friend and legendary basketball coach Steve Kerr, the Arsenal manager was asked about leadership.
He explained: ‘So, the British fighter planes, for example. I will get in touch with those guys, how they communicate, because that is life or death.
Declan Rice (left) was back in training for the Gunners
Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday
‘I’m sure they don’t use 20 phrases or 20 words if there is one word. Don’t say, “Nah, the wind is coming this way, now you have to turn left”, because boom, dead. So, it will be one word.’
The Premier League leaders were beaten 2-1 by Championship side Southampton on Saturday night, with Shea Charles netting a dramatic winner five minutes from time to secure a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals against the odds.
The successive losses to Saints and City are the first real signs that the pressure is getting to this Arsenal side this season, as they hunt down their first trophy in six years.
While the defeat to Southampton saw their quadruple hopes halved, they remain comfortably in the box seat for the Premier League title – sitting nine points clear of second-placed City – and they are in the last eight of the Champions League.