Mikel Arteta has gained something of a reputation for his bizarre motivation and training tactics behind the scenes at Arsenal.
Since his appointment at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been unafraid to do things his own way.
His singular, original, and uncompromising approach has yielded remarkable results. Arteta has transformed Arsenal, turning the North London outfit into genuine contenders for the biggest prizes in the game, and healing the rift between the club and the fanbase.
The Spanish coach has not shied away from big decisions either. He opted to oust superstar names such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the club, and replaced the popular goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks with David Raya.
These calls have all paid off in his favour, and the players have clearly bought into his methods and vision. Arteta keeps the members of his squad on their toes, too, often via unusual techniques.
For instance, during the summer, Arteta hired pickpockets to target Arsenal players, dealing out a lesson in the importance of remaining aware and alert at all times.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals Mikel Arteta prank
Oleksandr Zinchenko has now lifted the lid on another trick Arteta has played, with the Ukrainian left-back himself being the target of this particular prank.
In an interview with The Guardian, Zinchenko divulged: “We stayed at the same hotel before a match, and we knew all the waiters. But there was a new guy that day. So before we go to the stadium, [Arteta] said: ‘OK guys, let me wake you up, because we need energy. Last time, Alex, we played staff against players and you beat [the set-piece coach] Nicolas [Jover]. Let’s do it the same, but freestyling.
“Everyone was like: ‘What? For sure, Alex will beat him, blah blah blah’. Nico started to do something with the ball and then suddenly it looks like he got an injury. It was so obvious but weird.
“Then they called the new waiter. We didn’t know he was a professional freestyler. He destroyed me with his tricks and all of us were in deep shock. But then we were all laughing and we went to the game with good energy.”
Zinchenko is one of the most technically gifted players in the Arsenal squad, so the freestyler must have produced some impressive moves to get the better of the 27-year-old, who fortunately saw the funny side.
Zinchenko’s future at Arsenal
The former Manchester City star has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal since the start of last season.
The arrivals of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber have restricted his opportunities, after Arteta lost patience with Zinchenko due to his frequent defensive lapses.
He is very much playing for his future at Arsenal this season, but he may not be afforded enough game time to make much of a case for himself in terms of his ability to contribute for the club.
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