Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hired professional pickpockets to teach squad a lesson as latest story of Spaniard’s unusual methods

WHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal boss Arteta has been famed for using unusual tactics to motivate his players. The Gunners boss has previously brought an olive tree into a team meeting and was filmed using a light bulb in a team-talk during the All or Nothing documentary. He even adopted a dog called ‘Win’, and brings him to the training ground. Now, per The Athletic, he has used professional sleight-of-hand artists to send a message.

According to the report, at a team dinner, Arteta invited the pickpockets into the room and told them to go to work on the squad. At the end of the meal, the Spaniard stood up and asked the players to empty their pockets. Many were missing valuables; Arteta used the stunt to teach his players about the need to be alert at all times.

Arteta is now preparing for his fifth season at Arsenal, and they will once again be aiming to challenge Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. Last season, they finished two points behind Pep Guardiola’s men.

WHAT NEXT?