Mikel Arteta is currently going to remarkable lengths to ensure that his Arsenal squad bond during their pre-season tour in the US.
Mikel Arteta and a makeshift version of the Arsenal squad are currently on the other side of the Atlantic.
The Gunners will soon take on three Premier League opponents Stateside in pre-season friendlies. They will get going in Los Angeles against Bournemouth and Manchester United, before taking on Liverpool in Philadelphia.
A number of key players are missing from this touring party, though. Several Arsenal stars are still enjoying extended holidays, having competed in the latter stages of international tournaments this summer. This group includes the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, David Raya, and Kai Havertz, amongst others.
Due to these absences, many Hale End academy talents have been called up to the Arsenal squad for the pre-season tour, and they have even been joined by two young goalkeepers who only just signed for the North London club.
As such, Arteta’s current group is a somewhat unfamiliar bunch, and the Spanish coach is clearly keen to ensure that this does not become an issue.
Mikel Arteta putting huge focus on Arsenal team bonding whilst in America
Journalist Charles Watts has now provided an insight into the efforts that the manager and his coaching staff are now putting in to ensure that the squad clicks and rapidly becomes a settled and harmonious group.
Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube channel, the reporter revealed: “When they go, they all join together during the day. The meals that are set up, every single time they rotate where they’re sitting at the table, so that Mikel Arteta doesn’t want cliques forming or anything like that.
“He always wants everyone to be able to get on with everyone. So each day they’ll go in for their dinners and their lunches, and they’ll be placed on different tables to what they were before, never be sitting next to the same people.
“That’s staff included, not just players, so that everyone gets to know each other… Mikel and the coaching staff are really keen to make sure everyone spends time with each other. They’ll have BBQs out there again, and different things.”
With these measures in place, Arteta ought not have to worry about splinter groups of players forming within the dressing room. That is clearly something he will not tolerate. Instead, a positive and welcoming atmosphere will exist for all players and staff.
Arteta has already made a huge impact at Arsenal over recent years, making the club feel more unified, and building a family-like connection between the players. This harmony can only help with matters on the pitch, too.
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