Mikel Arteta has delivered a fascinating insight into his coaching methods after Arsenal successfully overcame travel disruption prior to their midweek Champions League win at Napoli.
Speaking ahead of Saturday night’s trip to Sunderland in the Premier League, Arteta spoke about the troubles encountered by him, his staff and players as their flight was delayed. Ultimately, the Gunners managed to brush off that unwanted distraction as they sealed a worthy 1-0 win in Naples.
Rather than complain about such issues, Arteta spoke about how he actually enjoys those scenarios and that the club try to act out potential problems in a bid to keep players on their toes.
“I try to create them in pre-season and arrive at different times so when they happen we have already experienced it,” the Spaniard explained. “You can miss a flight and the train can be delayed, but I don’t want the players or staff to be panicking when it happens and instead adapt to it. But do not complain and use it as an excuse because it’s not helpful at all.
“We delay the meals, delay the transport, take a different route, make the dressing room hot, less beds, because we are going to have to adapt so there is not an element of surprise on matchday. It’s important.”
Quirky methods are something Arteta is fast becoming known for and the results speak for themselves. After sealing a long-awaited title last season the aim is to go back-to-back and to that end, Arsenal have made an encouraging start domestically. They have won all three league games so far but a packed Stadium of Light under the Saturday night lights is likely to provide a real acid test for Arteta’s men – just as it did last season when the Black Cats stormed back to claim a point in stoppage time during a breathless encounter.
“We experienced last season how difficult it will be and it’s great to play these type of games,” Arteta added. “We have prepared, we are ready tomorrow to be on the pitch and compete like we always do – and be better than the opponent and try to win the game. Last year, we dropped points there in the last minute [drawing 2-2] and we’ve learned a lot from that game.”
Sunderland go into the match after a fairly strong start to the season. After losing away at newly-promoted Ipswich on day one, Regis Le Bris’ side are unbeaten in the three games since.
The visit of Arsenal is followed by the club’s first European game for more than half a century when they welcome AZ Alkmaar to Wearside next Wednesday – not that Le Bris is looking any further than the challenge of trying to topple the champions.
“Arsenal are flying, they’re one of the best teams in Europe,” he said. “It will be challenging but I’m very excited to experience this situation again. When you face a strong opponent you can become a bit shy but the most important thing is to be ourselves. Arsenal are so adaptive they will find solutions, so we must be flexible.”
Le Bris believes the Sunderland faithful, as they so often did last season, will be a vital part of his side’s efforts. Describing the home support as “a powerful driver,” the Frenchman added: “It starts from us – the way we play and how we impose our ideas. If we are proactive they are behind us. They back us and they feed the energy for the press, second balls, counter-attacks and so on. The connection with the fans helps us a lot.”
