Mikel Arteta has become known for some unorthodox training methods and took it one step further this week as the Arsenal boss lit a fire at London Colney
Mikel Arteta
Arteta is no stranger to unorthodox training ground methods(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta lit a fire at Arsenal training this week in his latest bid to get the Gunners back on track. Arteta has seen his side's cushion at the top of the Premier League close to six points ahead of tomorrow's crucial title showdown with Manchester City.
It means if City win every game this season, they will finish level on points with the Gunners at worst and have an ever improving goal difference.
Arteta knows his side cannot afford another damaging defeat after last week's reverse against Bournemouth as they bid to finally end their 22-year title drought.
Ahead of the midweek goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon that secured the Gunners' passage into the Champions League semi-finals, Arteta called for 'pure fire' from his team.
He said: “No fear. Pure fire. That’s it. Me, the first one. Pure fire. That’s what I want to see on the players, on the people, on myself. That’s it.
“Go for it because the opportunity is unbelievable. We are in April, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it, let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it.”
But it was a typically cagy Arsenal performance, the match yielding just 0.93 in combined expected goals, the lowest combined in the Champions League this season.
Not content with his words though, Arteta went a step further by gathering his players and staff around a burning fire, symbolising their desire to win trophies this term.
Explaining his method, he said: "Every game we use different themes to try to prepare the game in the best possible way and that depends on what we do. The best ones are the players’ initiatives. That’s the ones I love the most.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arteta knows his side cannot afford to lose at the Etihad(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Arteta is no stanger to unorthodox techniques on the training ground. He attempted to motivate his players using a lightbulb as a metaphor for teamwork and energy during the 2021-22 campaign.
He has also used pictures of wolves to depict a team hunting as a pack in their pressing and even secretly hired pickpockets to teach his players how to be aware of their surroundings while on the pitch.
It remains to be seen whether his latest idea pays off as Arsenal bid to restore their nine-point cushion to City and take a huge step towards a first Premier League title since 2004.
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