Arsenal’s return to the very top in English and European football has been well-documented, with Mikel Arteta leading the charge.
Once mired in mid-table mediocrity in the Premier League, the arrival of the head coach signalled a change in direction.
While it took some time to get the wheels in motion, Arsenal have finally put themselves among the very best teams in the world again.
There is an expectation for them to add to their trophy cabinet, with the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup all becoming opportunities to win silverware.
There are plenty of parts that go into the team becoming competitive again, but for Ethan Nwaneri, there is one change that Mikel Arteta has made which has turbocharged it.
- READ MORE: Tottenham cause Arsenal transfer chaos as Andrea Berta risks repeating Raheem Sterling error
Ethan Nwaneri says Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal training since he arrived
There is plenty that can be said of the transformation of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta from struggling to thriving.
Many have noted that the Arsenal boss’s connection with the fans is a key turning point, turning the Emirates Stadium into a fortress.
Others have pointed out the change in personnel at the club, moving on from older players on high wages to younger stars who are hungry to win.
However, for Ethan Nwaneri, the biggest change has perhaps been seen on the training ground at London Colney.
Speaking to Ian Wright for Premier League productions about Arteta, the Hale End academy graduate claimed: “I think he’s [Arteta] literally been the same ever since I first met him to now, in terms of how demanding he is.
“I think the way that he trains, I think that’s what really has changed this club because he’s so demanding and he wants 100% from everyone, every day, and he won’t accept anything less, and I think that really helps you as a player.”
It goes to show the impact the manager can have away from the pitch, with the players feeling that support each day.
- READ MORE: Arsenal fans will love what Myles Lewis-Skelly has just said amid Real Madrid transfer links
Mikel Arteta’s weird and wonderful Arsenal training techniques
Training is one of those things that can be very specific from coach to coach, with others preferring a different style from another.
It can be tough for players to adjust and get used to what Arteta does, in particular at Arsenal, with some of his weird and wonderful techniques.
That includes training to music, which the manager claims is used to help transform the energy around the training ground.
Speaking about it back in January 2025, he said: “That is something that we’ve done for many years now, and it is part of training.
“We use music as another element of our training sessions to build the energy and change certain purpose that we want in the training session, and I think the players enjoy it.
“Depending on the day, sometimes certain players pick certain songs – the first song, the first two songs, the last song – it’s the same as in the dressing room really.”
It’s a key change that may well have given Arsenal the edge over their competitors.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
