Mikel Arteta has looked to use his players – fit or not – in a clever way (Image: Getty)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is using mind games to outwit rivals in his hunt for a first Premier League title. Gunners star Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed how Arteta often looks to create uncertainty in the opposition dugout by including injured players in his matchday squad.
The Gunners head coach has transformed the north London side into serious title contenders during his five year tenure. In that time, the Spaniard has also picked up psychological tactics reminiscent of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
That is according to Arsenal defender Zinchenko, who has noticed how Arteta uses those seemingly unavailable through injury to gain the upper hand over his rivals. Having suffered several key injuries already this season, the Gunners boss has sought to use such absences and niggles to his advantage.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has shed light on Mikel Arteta’s cheeky tactics (Image: Getty)
Ukraine international Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal in 2022 from Manchester City, explained how Arteta includes players who are a selection doubt, making them travel with the rest of the squad and enter the dressing room. That, in turn, either surprises the opposition or makes them believe an actually injured player is a late inclusion, creating uncertainty in terms of their tactics.
Zinchenko told The Athletic: “[He] likes to play games with the opposition. I’ve seen him tell injured players to come on the team bus and walk into the dressing room with their wash bag, to put the other manager off the scent.”
The tactic was on show during the clash against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in October, when Bukayo Saka started the game. Saka had struggled with injury leading up to the crucial fixture, with Arteta expressing doubts over his fitness by stating he was “very uncertain”.
Yet the England international showed he was very much fit and sharp, causing defender Andy Robertson all kinds of problems on the wing and netting the opening goal with a fantastic bit of individual skill. Arteta later explained: “I don’t want to make it easy for anyone.
Bukayo Saka wasn’t expected to play in a recent game with Liverpool – but started and scored (Image: Getty Images)
“The opponent has to work and think and prepare and make sure they do their homework like I have to. I wish I knew their starting XI, who is on the bench, but I don’t. It is our job to guess and do the work we have to do.
“I will tell you everything but that has consequences. I need to be very careful because sometimes I can tell you a player is going to be a few weeks but is a few months. Sometimes I don’t know if a player is going to be fit in two days’ time or when the press conference is.
“When I know, I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say ‘he’s not fit’ and then I play him, I would never do that but if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing. This is my job. But as well to keep all my guys, everyone alert as well, that is important.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1977888/mikel-arteta-arsenal-mindgames-zinchenko