Mikel Arteta has reflected on the unconventional steps he took to address the challenges at Arsenal when he became head coach in December 2019, a period marked by instability within the club. The Spaniard, who recently signed a four-year contract extension worth £80 million extending his tenure at the Emirates Stadium through 2030, recounted how he sought to confront the club’s internal difficulties by dramatically rearranging his office on his first day.

Arteta described how he purposefully dismantled his workspace—scattering computers, laptops, and cables across the floor—before gathering his staff to address what he had heard about their working environment. “I said, ‘Listen, this is what I heard. I don’t know if it’s true but from a lot of different people, the sentiment is that this is how they feel about working in the organisation,’” he said. He challenged those present to restore order within two minutes as a gesture of readiness to move forward as a team. Arteta credited the swift response and silent cooperation as an early indication of a collective commitment toward change.

Since leaving his role as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arteta has become known for his unusual leadership methods. He once employed a pickpocket to steal items from his players during a team dinner, aiming to emphasize the need for constant vigilance on the pitch. Additionally, he admitted to deliberately disrupting certain pre-season routines—such as delaying meals, changing transport arrangements, and increasing dressing room temperatures—to keep players alert and adaptable.

Although some critics highlighted these unconventional tactics during Arsenal’s initial struggles to challenge for titles, Arteta’s approach has been credited with helping to overhaul the squad’s mentality and rebuild a team that recently claimed its first Premier League championship in 22 years. Speaking about the broader transformation, Arteta acknowledged that the challenges ran deeper than initially apparent but expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing the importance of collective effort.

Arsenal’s recent success and Arteta’s lucrative contract extension suggest the club’s leadership values his approach, however atypical it may be. Meanwhile, the squad showcased signs of camaraderie and positive morale during the latest training sessions, despite setbacks such as striker Kai Havertz’s hamstring injury, which could sideline the German international for about a month. Defender Piero Hincapié, arriving at training in a floral tracksuit, and other key players like Bruno Guimaraes also appeared in good spirits as Arsenal prepares for another campaign under Arteta’s continued guidance.