Mikel Arteta’s hilarious clapback at reporter suggests Arsenal’s season is about to be transformed

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Mikel Arteta hinted at Arsenal’s plan for the season following the Gunners’ win over Dinamo Zagreb. 

Under the lights at the Emirates, Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 to move to within touching distance of the Champions League final 16.

The three points saw the Champions League table take shape before the league-phase closing fixture on match day eight.

Arteta’s side have all but qualified for the next round automatically, which could present the Arsenal squad with a rare opportunity.

• READ MORE: What Arsenal need to qualify in the Champions League top-eight with one match left

Mikel Arteta responds to a reporter about possible winter break 

Going into the game, it was clear that Arsenal’s fixture against Dinamo Zagreb was important for reasons other than three points.

The win meant that the Gunners will almost certainly avoid the knockout ties and progress automatically into the round of 16, which open the door to a winter break.

As Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester United, the date of the knockouts and FA Cup fixtures will present the squad with a gap to play with.

Arteta already has plans for the break in play, or so he’s hinted, with the ambition to take Arsenal on another hot weather camp.

After the win over Dinamo Zagreb, a reporter asked Arteta whether a warm winter break is on the cards now that the Gunners have all but qualified for the next round.

“Opta say that Arsenal are 100% sure to be in the round of 16, does that mean you can go ahead and speak to the travel agents about a warm weather winter break?” A journalist asked in the press conference.

The Arsenal manager’s response had the media room laughing, as Arteta then urged Opta to get in touch with travel agents regarding a trip.

“I’m going to ask Opta to speak to them, I think that’s a better idea,” he joked.

Another winter break could transform Arsenal’s season

While Arsenal haven’t been bad this season, the Gunners have left a lot to be desired.

Last year, Arteta found great success by taking the squad to Dubai for warm weather training, accompanied by their families.

As seen above, the results of the trip were staggering, as the Gunners went on a remarkable run of results from the start of the year to the end of the season.

Given the areas that Arsenal are struggling this term, a break has the potential to transform the outlook at the Emirates, in what could be a decisive masterplan for Arteta to execute.