I disrupted pre-season travel plans to prepare players - Arteta

Mikel Arteta, manager of Premier League champions Arsenal, revealed that he intentionally disrupted his team's pre-season training and travel plans to prepare them for unforeseen challenges. During a news conference on Friday, Arteta explained that he believed such disruptions were beneficial for his players.

Arteta and his team experienced a midweek Champions League flight delay to Italy for their match against Napoli. The delay resulted in the team arriving three hours behind schedule. However, Arteta emphasized that his team was ready for the situation because they had faced similar challenges during pre-season. The Arsenal manager stated that he intentionally created these challenges during pre-season to help his players adapt and remain calm when such disruptions occur during actual matches.

Arteta detailed various methods he employs to prepare his team for unexpected situations. These include delaying meals or transport, taking different routes to the grounds, and making the dressing room hotter and more uncomfortable for the players. He explained that these measures reduce the stress and surprise on matchday when disruptions happen.

The Arsenal manager is not alone in his methods. In 2023, he introduced a dog named Win to the training ground to boost morale and represent the team as a family. He is open to his methods being used by other players as well, as he believes they help reduce stress and surprise, ultimately improving team performance.