Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is known for his innovative methods to motivate his players.
Earlier this week, a fire was lit at the club’s London Colney training ground. It was initially assumed the Spaniard was behind the stunt.
However, it seems others took it upon themselves to rouse the squad before a defining week.
Arsenal’s Fixture Pile-Up
On Wednesday, Arsenal hosted Sporting in the Champions League and secured a place in the semi-finals. Next up is a visit to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Manchester City are their closest challengers in the title race.
“Every game we use different themes to try to prepare the game in the best possible way and that depends on what we do,” said Arteta.
“The best ones are the players’ initiatives. That’s the ones I love the most.”
Pressure to Deliver After Trophy Drought
Arsenal last won a trophy in 2020 with the FA Cup. That win came during Arteta’s first season in charge.
The club has not been league champions for 22 years, and the pressure has intensified to deliver success.
Before the midweek tie against Sporting, Arteta asked his side to play with “pure fire.”
Ultimately, they limped to the semi-finals with a 0-0 draw.
“No fear, pure fire. That’s it,” he said before the game.
“Pure fire, that’s what I want to see from the players, the people, myself.”
Arteta’s History of Unorthodox Motivation
Inspiring his squad in unconventional ways is nothing new for Arteta.
Once he brought a lightbulb into the dressing room while asking his players to be energetic and shine.
He even hired professional pickpockets to attend a team dinner to take phones and wallets from players. This was done to teach them to stay alert.
In 2023, he brought a dog named Win into the training ground to boost morale.
“I feel like we are a family, we need a dog to represent that family,” he said at the time.
Arteta is hoping Arsenal can use his message of “pure fire” to secure a positive result.
He hopes this will propel them to the Premier League title.