Arteta Shares How Pre-Season Training Helped Arsenal Handle Flight Delay

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta has shared that special drills during pre-season helped his players stay calm when their flight to Italy was delayed before their Champions League match with Napoli.

The Premier League champions faced problems with air traffic control on Wednesday. They arrived in Italy about three hours later than planned.

But Arteta said his players did not lose focus because he had prepared them for similar situations during pre-season.

As reported by BBC Sport, Arteta said at his news conference on Friday, “I love those challenges, I try to create them in pre-season.” He spoke before Arsenal's Premier League match against Sunderland.

“So when they happen, we have already experienced them and we are ready.”

The Arsenal coach explained that he had disrupted the team's usual schedules by delaying training, meals, and transport. He also took different routes to stadiums.

“Get to the stadium very late, change the routine so the players have to do something else,” he said.

Arteta said the goal was to make sure unexpected issues like cancelled flights, delayed trains, or heavy traffic would not cause stress for his players and staff.

“When it happens, adapt to it,” he said. “We have two or three hours on the plane, can we use it? Play together, spend some time together, sleep.

“But don’t complain or use it as an excuse because it’s not helpful at all.”

He added that Arsenal had also made dressing rooms warmer and less comfortable during training as part of their preparations.

According to Arteta, these drills help reduce the stress and shock that come with unexpected problems on matchdays.

The Spanish coach is known for his unique motivational and training methods.

He once brought a light bulb into the dressing room to inspire his players to be energetic and “shine.”

On another occasion, he brought in professional pickpockets to a team dinner to steal players’ phones and wallets. This was part of an exercise meant to keep them alert.

In 2023, Arteta introduced a dog named Win to the training ground to lift spirits and promote the idea of the team as a family.

He has also supported other creative initiatives, like lighting a fire at the training ground before a Champions League match with Sporting in April.

Arteta believes these unusual exercises help Arsenal build the resilience and flexibility needed to handle the unpredictable nature of top-level football.