Inside Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s ‘genius’ training methods inspiring Premier League title charge including dodgeball
ARSENAL fans have been told to “trust the process” since Mikel Arteta took over.
It wasn’t easy to begin with, as the Gunners initially struggled under Pep Guardiola’s former No2.
But fast forward three years and Arteta has led his Arsenal side to the brink of a first Premier League title since the 2003-04 Invincibles.
Fans are starting to believe they can cling on as the youthful squad continue to keep experienced champions Manchester City at bay.
But what exactly does Arteta’s “process” entail?
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has lifted the lid on the boss latest tricks, including dodgeball and spot the difference.
On Arteta’s management style, Ramsdale told Standard Sport: “He’s intense, really intense.
“He just loves football, loves Arsenal, loves developing young players which is amazing.
“He comes up with these things to try to get us going. We play games in the hotel.
“Sometimes it can be dodgeball, sometimes it can be spot the difference on the TV to get our brains working…
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“It is just his way of trying to make us to switch on before the game, before the warm-up, making sure we’re living and breathing football when we’re resting.”
Arsenal recently set tongues wagging after posing in front of a clock following their 3-0 win over Fulham.
On that, Ramsdale added: “The clock one was another genius idea.
“Not all things work, but what he’s trying to get out of it, I definitely get to see the benefits of it.”
Ramsdale is right, the outlandish ideas don’t always pay off.
Arteta infamously blared “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at Gunners training before their crunch clash against Liverpool at Anfield last season.
The boss had hoped to prepare his side for the raucous and intense Kop atmosphere.
Arsenal would go on to lose 4-0.
As soon on their All Or Nothing documentary, Arteta also sketched a heart and a brain on a whiteboard at training.
Arteta was filmed saying: “Guys, we have to play with our big hearts. At the same time, we have to play with a big brain. And these have to work together.
“This is your passion, how your manager wants you to put into the game. How much you want to commit yourself in the game.”
The club were dubbed a “laughing stock” for selling T-shirts of the scribbling.
But now Ramsdale is convinced Arsenal have grown up following a tricky 2021-22 as they battle for the title a year on.
The England stopper said: “At the end of last season, we panicked in certain games, I think we have learned from [that].
“I think we know how to deal with that a lot better now.
“It doesn’t mean we’re not going to go into a game and panic again. But for the majority, we know what is needed and how to play and how to conduct ourselves.
“We are a young team we had a really tough one last year missing out on the top four and to Tottenham then it’s even more [tough], so we’re learning game by game.
“I think huge credit goes to the staff but also for our failure last year.”