No excuses, no surprises: Arteta's Arsenal prepare for anything

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has disclosed that intentional disruptions during pre-season training helped his players stay calm when their flight to Italy was delayed ahead of their Champions League match against Napoli. The Premier League champions experienced air traffic control problems en route to Italy, arriving three hours later than planned.

However, Arteta assured that the situation did not disconcert his team as they had previously been exposed to similar circumstances during pre-season. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Arsenal's Premier League fixture against Sunderland, Arteta stated, "I love those challenges, I try to create them in pre-season." He explained that he had previously altered the team's routines by delaying training, meals, and transportation, as well as routing them differently to stadiums.

Arteta's goal was to ensure that unexpected issues like flight cancellations, delayed trains, or heavy traffic would not cause panic among his players and staff. He emphasized the importance of adapting to such situations, suggesting that the team could utilize the extra time on the plane for bonding or rest. Arteta also revealed that Arsenal intentionally made dressing rooms more uncomfortable during preparations to expose players to various conditions, thus reducing stress and surprise on matchdays.

The manager's unconventional methods have become a trademark, including bringing a light bulb to the dressing room to encourage energy and alertness, hiring pickpockets to steal players' belongings, and even bringing a dog named Win to boost morale and create a family-like atmosphere within the squad. Arteta believes these exercises foster resilience and adaptability, crucial qualities for navigating the unpredictable nature of elite football.