Arsenal, one of the world's top and oldest football clubs, has struggled for success over the past decade. Meanwhile, in December 2019, Spanish footballer Mikel Arteta took over as coach. Arteta transformed Arsenal into Premier League title contenders in just five years. His unique coaching methods were initially mocked.
Pickpockets are invited to a pre-match party Even the players of this famous England team are surprised by Arteta's shocking ways. Recently he had to teach his players to beware of the opposing team's gameplan, so before the match Arteta invited pickpockets to a party and their belongings were stolen.
'I was in the camera system room,' laughs Kevin Balvers, the club's head of operations. After the party, the players were worried about their belongings being searched so they were called and shown the CCTV footage. The players were told that you always have to be prepared for the fact that the opposing team tricks you like this.'
Balvers says this was 'activation' technology. It was a pre-match mind game with a deep psychological message behind it.
Before the match, Arteta invited pickpockets to a party and the players' belongings were stolen.
Arteta brought chocolate Labrador dogs to the club One such incident in pre-match coaching is linked to a tweet by famous player Evan Toni. Then Ivan was in another team against them which badly beat Arsenal in a match. Before the match, Arteta shared this tweet mocking his players and challenged them to take revenge. His team won this match 2-1.
The morale of the team was low after losing an important match against Manchester City. The players were disappointed. Then Arteta brought chocolate Labrador dogs to the club. His research found that patting dogs calms the mind, reduces stress, and improves thinking.
Everyone got along well with him. The dogs name was 'Win'. It took the players a few days to understand what Arteta meant.
Team Talk with Lightbulb A lightbulb example in Arteta's most dramatic 'team talk'. Before an important match, he came with a light bulb in his hand. Similarly asked to spread light and come out of darkness.
The team lost the match, but the players came close to his thinking. A 150-year-old olive tree is kept in the club office. This is the symbol of the club. Everyone has to take care of it together. Just like a family.
A lightbulb example in Arteta's most dramatic 'team talk'.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
