The Gunners boss had his players practising with pens in a number of drills to help them refocus before their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon
Steve Judge
19:28, 06 Apr 2026Updated 19:35, 06 Apr 2026
Declan Rice (left) and his Arsenal team-mates balance a ball between their heads during training
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Declan Rice (left) and his Arsenal team-mates balance a ball between their heads during training(Image: PA)
Mikel Arteta was back to his old tricks on the training ground as he looks to prevent Arsenal’s season from unravelling.
The Gunners boss took practicing pens to a new level after seeing his side’s hopes of landing an historic quadruple disappear in back-to-back games either side of a crushing international break. Last month's Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City was followed by a shock loss to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final.
That has left them with just the Premier League and Champions League to play for. In response, Arteta has turned to the kind of wacky methods that have become a hallmark of his coaching, which has seen him branded a 'LinkedIn Loon' on occasions.
Arsenal players balance pens using their index fingers while dribbling a football
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Arsenal players balance pens using their index fingers while dribbling a football(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s players were put through a series of unusual drills at the club’s London Colney training ground, designed to sharpen focus, coordination and teamwork, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting Lisbon.
In one exercise, players worked in groups of four, holding opposite ends of pens with their index fingers while dribbling a football across the pitch, forcing them to move in sync while maintaining control.
In another, they were tasked with balancing a ball on their foreheads, testing composure and body awareness.
Declan Rice of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre
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Declan Rice back in training after missing the FA Cup quarter0final defeat at Southampton(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The drills may have looked odd, but they reflect Arteta’s broader philosophy of creating discomfort and demanding concentration in unfamiliar situations so matches feel more manageable.
It is far from the first time the Spaniard has experimented in this way. He has previously blasted crowd noise through speakers ahead of a trip to Anfield and even hired a pickpocket during a team dinner to reinforce the importance of awareness and focus.
Unsurprisingly, the latest footage sparked mixed reactions among supporters, with some praising the creativity and others questioning its relevance. One fan wrote, “Arteta with the innovations – let’s see how it translates onto the pitch,” while another joked: “Are they training for football or something else?”
Leandro Trossard chases Noni Madueke during training
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Leandro Trossard chases Noni Madueke during training(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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There was, however, more encouraging news on the injury front. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard both returned to training after missing the FA Cup defeat, while centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes also took part after picking up a new injury during the loss to Southampton. All three travelled with the team to Portugal, giving Arteta a timely boost ahead of a crucial European tie.
But there was no sign of Bukayo Saka. The winger was one of ten Arsenal players who were injured during the international break and is expected to remain on the sidelines.