Mikel Arteta once persuaded his Arsenal players that he could read their minds, using the elaborate ruse as motivation before a north London derby four years ago.
The episode, recounted in Daily Telegraph journalist Sam Dean’s book Arsenal: The Inside Story of Arsenal’s Rebirth Under Mikel Arteta, took place at the team hotel before Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham at the Emirates on October 1, 2022.
Known for his unconventional coaching techniques, the Spanish manager reportedly instructed his players to conceal an object inside one of their shoes. He then claimed he could identify who had hidden it by looking into their eyes and interpreting their body language.
Arteta told the squad that, if he failed to name the player, he would take them and their families out for dinner. If he guessed correctly, however, the players would have to pay for his meal.
Once Arteta and his coaching staff had left the room so the players could hide the object, the manager returned and carefully studied each member of the squad. Dean writes that he even checked their pulses, supposedly to determine who was feeling the most nervous.
When Arteta correctly identified Brazilian defender Gabriel, the players reportedly “went mental”, according to a source quoted in the book.
Arteta convinced his players that he could read their minds before their 3-1 victory over Tottenham at the Emirates on October 1, 2022
Arteta has become well known for using unconventional methods to give Arsenal an advantage over their opponents
Later that day, after goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka secured victory against their north London rivals, Arteta and his staff disclosed the secret: they had watched the players choose the hiding place through CCTV cameras at the hotel.
It was far from the only unusual method Arteta has used in his pursuit of a competitive advantage.
Before Arsenal faced Liverpool at Anfield during the 2021-22 season, he played “You’ll Never Walk Alone” over the training-ground speakers to help his players prepare for the intense atmosphere.
In the summer of 2024, Arteta went even further by hiring a pickpocket to steal from his squad during an evening meal.
The thief posed as a waiter, taking items from the players during dinner. At a team meeting afterwards, Arteta presented the stolen belongings at the front of the room.
The exercise was designed ahead of a match against a side known for using every available tactic to gain an advantage. Arteta wanted his players to develop a “pickpocket mentality” and remain alert to opponents attempting to take any edge away from them.
On another occasion, he used a lightbulb during a pre-match team talk, telling the squad that they needed to shine and generate energy and inspiration for one another.
As Arsenal chased an end to their long wait for a Premier League title, the club placed an outline of the trophy at the entrance to the main building at their training ground. The design was eventually illuminated in May, when the achievement was secured.
During the following pre-season, Arteta also revealed that he had deliberately created delays for his team by altering travel routes and meal times. He made the changing room warmer and reduced the number of massage beds, aiming to prepare the squad for the difficulties they could encounter away from home.
After agreeing a new contract last month, Arteta explained that his unconventional approach had begun on his first day in the job in December 2019.
The 37-year-old at the time said he had “destroyed” an education centre at Arsenal’s training ground, throwing “the computers, the laptops, the cables” onto the floor. He then challenged his staff to restore the office immediately, using the task to demonstrate the importance of working together.
Arsenal installed an outline of the Premier League trophy at the entrance to their main training-ground building as they pursued the title
Speaking to The Athletic, Arteta explained: “I said, ‘Listen, this is what I heard. I don’t know if it’s true. But from a lot of different people, the sentiment is that this is how they feel about working in the organisation.
“‘I’m here to help you enjoy your profession and your life and the passion that we all share. If you want me to help you to do that, you have two minutes to put this in order and at least to be ready to work together.’ And I left.
“‘That could have been my managerial career because if that would have stayed the same way, I had no job anymore!’”
Arteta said he returned a short time later to find the room “immaculate”.
“‘Everyone was silent and had their eyes open and they were ready to listen. I said, “This is just the start. It’s something that we have to be in daily. Whatever we want to accomplish, we’re going to have to do it together. I cannot do it by myself. The issue that we have is much deeper than that, but the opportunity is infinite.”’”
Since taking charge in 2019, Arteta has overseen a dramatic turnaround in Arsenal’s fortunes, guiding the club from mid-table struggles to becoming Premier League champions. In May, he also led them to their first Champions League final in 20 years.
