Mikel Arteta is obsessed with control and marginal gains.
Ever since taking charge of Arsenal in 2019, the Spaniard has tried to improve every possible detail around the football club.
From nutrition and fitness standards to tactical preparation and mentality, Arteta leaves absolutely nothing to chance.
One thing that has clearly frustrated him over the years, however, is team news leaking before matches. This season, the Arsenal manager has reportedly taken drastic action behind the scenes to stop it completely.
ARSENAL ARE CHAMPIONS! Sum up your emotions in one sentence and one GIF
Mikel Arteta has changed Arsenal’s internal process to stop team leaks
Mikel Arteta is famously secretive when it comes to injury updates and team selection.
The Arsenal boss hates giving opponents any form of advantage before matches. That is exactly why he has become so careful about information leaving the club.
To completely eliminate team news getting out, Arteta decided to change things.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal players this season have often only discovered the starting line-up a few hours before kick-off.
That is a major change from how many Premier League clubs usually operate.
In recent weeks, Arteta has apparently tightened things even further. The Spaniard is now said to be delaying the circulation of his chosen starting XI among club staff until the very last possible moment.
The aim is simple – stop leaks entirely.
Arteta clearly believes even the smallest detail can influence the outcome of matches, especially at the elite level Arsenal now operate at.
And honestly, considering the stakes involved this season, it is not difficult to understand why he is so protective of information.
🥇 You have ONE honorary Premier League winners’ medal to give to a former Mikel Arteta player… Who is receiving it?
Smith-Rowe? Xhaka? Ozil? Aubameyang?
Mikel Arteta’s mentality is a huge reason Arsenal are champions
Some people may view Arteta’s obsession with secrecy as extreme.
However, that relentless attention to detail is a massive reason Arsenal are now Premier League champions and preparing for a Champions League final.
The best managers in world football are usually obsessive personalities. Pep Guardiola is like that, and so were Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
Arteta belongs in the same category when it comes to demanding total focus and control.
Every small edge matters at the top level, and Arteta clearly refuses to allow Arsenal to lose one because of unnecessary leaks or distractions.
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