Mikel Arteta’s unconventional preseason lesson: Arsenal players targeted by professional pickpockets
In a surprising revelation, British media disclosed on Thursday that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta employed an unconventional tactic to teach his players a lesson in vigilance.
According to a report by The Athletic, the Spanish coach hired professional pickpockets to steal from his players during a team meal in the preseason.
The incident took place during a team dinner, where Arteta instructed the pickpockets to discreetly take the players’ phones and other valuables.
At the end of the meal, the players were asked to check their pockets, only to find that many of them had been stripped of their belongings, while others noticed missing items.
Mikel Arteta then explained that the exercise was designed to emphasize the importance of staying alert and aware at all times, both on and off the pitch.
The unorthodox method, while surprising, aligns with the innovative approach often associated with Arteta’s mentor, Pep Guardiola.
The lesson was clear: in football, as in life, complacency can come at a cost. Arsenal’s players reportedly took the message to heart, learning firsthand the value of constant vigilance.
