Mikel Arteta’s use of mind games has been highlighted by Arsenal defender, Oleksandr Zinchenko, while giving an insight into the manager’s tactical approach on the pitch and off it.
The Ukraine international, who also worked with Arteta while at Manchester City, said the Spaniard enjoys playing mind games with opposing teams, using clever psychological tactics to keep them guessing.
One instance involved injured players being asked to board the team bus and enter the dressing room with their “wash bags” as a way of misleading the opposition on who’s available for selection on match-day.
“I’ve seen Mikel tell injured players to come on the bus and walk into the dressing room with their wash bag,” Zinchenko said. “The aim is to put the other manager off the scent and make them think a player is fit when they might not be.”
Arteta will be back in full action with Arsenal this weekend following the latest round of international matches across the world. The Gunners resume Premier League action when they welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.