{"id":1049,"date":"2026-04-07T19:35:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1049"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:35:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:35:15","slug":"linkedin-loon-mikel-arteta-turns-to-bizarre-training-drills-to-revive-arsenals-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1049","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;LinkedIn loon&#8217; Mikel Arteta turns to bizarre training drills to revive Arsenal&#8217;s season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mikel Arteta was back to his old tricks on the training ground as he looks to prevent Arsenal\u2019s season from unravelling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Gunners boss took practicing pens to a new level after seeing his side\u2019s hopes of landing an historic quadruple disappear in back-to-back games either side of a crushing international break. Last month&#8217;s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City was followed by a shock loss to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That has left them with just the Premier League and Champions League to play for. In response, Arteta has turned to the kind of wacky methods that have become a hallmark of his coaching, which has seen him branded a &#8216;LinkedIn Loon&#8217; on occasions.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36976183\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36976183\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal players balance pens using their index fingers while dribbling a football\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976183.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-TRAINING.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976183.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-TRAINING.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976183.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-TRAINING.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976183.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-TRAINING.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal players balance pens using their index fingers while dribbling a football\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal players balance pens using their index fingers while dribbling a football<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal\u2019s players were put through a series of unusual drills at the club\u2019s London Colney training ground, designed to sharpen focus, coordination and teamwork, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting Lisbon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In one exercise, players worked in groups of four, holding opposite ends of pens with their index fingers while dribbling a football across the pitch, forcing them to move in sync while maintaining control.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In another, they were tasked with balancing a ball on their foreheads, testing composure and body awareness.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36976180\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36976180\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Declan Rice of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976180.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976180.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976180.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976180.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Declan Rice back in training after missing the FA Cup quarter0final defeat at Southampton\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Declan Rice back in training after missing the FA Cup quarter0final defeat at Southampton<cite aria-label=\"Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The drills may have looked odd, but they reflect Arteta\u2019s broader philosophy of creating discomfort and demanding concentration in unfamiliar situations so matches feel more manageable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is far from the first time the Spaniard has experimented in this way. He has previously blasted crowd noise through speakers ahead of a trip to Anfield and even hired a pickpocket during a team dinner to reinforce the importance of awareness and focus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Unsurprisingly, the latest footage sparked mixed reactions among supporters, with some praising the creativity and others questioning its relevance. One fan wrote, \u201cArteta with the innovations \u2013 let\u2019s see how it translates onto the pitch,\u201d while another joked: \u201cAre they training for football or something else?\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36976182\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36976182\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.4\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Leandro Trossard chases Noni Madueke during training\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976182.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976182.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976182.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36976182.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-Training-Session-And-Press-Conference-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Leandro Trossard chases Noni Madueke during training\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Leandro Trossard chases Noni Madueke during training<cite aria-label=\"Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There was, however, more encouraging news on the injury front. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard both returned to training after missing the FA Cup defeat, while centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes also took part after picking up a new injury during the loss to Southampton. All three travelled with the team to Portugal, giving Arteta a timely boost ahead of a crucial European tie.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But there was no sign of Bukayo Saka. The winger was one of ten Arsenal players who were injured during the international break and is expected to remain on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mikel Arteta was back to his old tricks on the training ground as he looks<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1049"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1049\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}