Mikel Arteta lights training ground on fire to motivate Arsenal players

arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta is known for his innovative – and often unorthodox – methods of motivating his players. This week he lit a fire at the London Colney training ground.

Why? “Get ready” for a crucial week, he said.

On Wednesday they host Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League and have booked a spot in the semi-finals. Next is the visit Manchester City Sunday’s Premier League match – their closest challenger in the title race.

“Every game we use different themes to try and prepare in the best possible way, depending on what we are doing,” Arteta said.

“The best thing is the player’s initiative. That’s what I like the most.”

The last time a trophy was won was in the FA Cup in 2020, Arteta’s first season in charge, and with no league title in 22 years, the pressure to succeed is growing.

Ahead of midweek’s clash with Sporting Lisbon, Arteta asked his side to play with “pure firepower” – although they ended up limping into 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 and myself.”

To bring this metaphor to life, arsenal The manager lit a fire at the training ground as he delivered a rousing speech to his players.