Zinchenko reveals Arteta’s bizarre injury trick to ‘play games’ with opponents

Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed more of Mikel Arteta's bizarre tactics that he uses to play mind games with opponents.

The Spaniard is known for his peculiar methods that aim to test his players and challenge competitors.

In the past, Arteta's unique approach has included secretly hiring a team of professional pickpockets to take his first team's phones and wallets at a dinner party.

The exercise was supposedly done to teach his players a lesson on the importance of being alert at all times as he continues to push his team in pursuit of trophies.

Now Zinchenko has claimed that the Arsenal boss is trying to fool opponents by convincing his injured players to pretend to be fit on match day.

“I have seen Mikel Arteta tell injured players to get on the team bus and walk into the dressing room with their laundry bag to avoid seeing the other manager,” Zinchenko told The Athletic. 'Arteta likes to play games with the opposition.'

It is a tactic that the Spaniard may have used regularly in recent times due to the injury problems his team had suffered.

Last month, Bukayo Saka looked destined to miss the Gunners' crucial match with title challenger Liverpool in the Emirates, with Arteta claiming he was 'unsure' to play.

Arteta eventually selected Saka in the starting line-up against the Reds, with the winger opening the scoring after just nine minutes with an excellent solo effort.

After the 2-2 draw, Arteta admitted he likes to keep journalists and opponents in the dark ahead of games.

“I don't want to make it easy for anyone,” he said. 'The opponent has to make sure he does his homework, just like me.

'If I know, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm not going to say: 'He's not fit' and then I'll play him – I would never do that – but if I'm sure or I don't want to I'll let you guess.'

It is certainly not the first stunt Arteta has pulled off. In 2021, the Gunners manager was ridiculed for his preparation for a visit to Anfield.

Arteta came up with a creative plan to prepare his side for one of the division's toughest away games after seeing the Gunners crumble in previous clashes.

As seen in the Amazon Prime documentary series All or Nothing, after encouraging his players with some words of encouragement, the Gunners boss asked for speakers to be brought onto the training ground.

You'll Never Walk Alone was then belted out loudly to recreate the intense atmosphere that usually greets teams when they play away against Liverpool.

'Guys, mentally we're going to play the game now. We are at Anfield,” Arteta told his players.

The tactic could be considered a failure as the Gunners were defeated 4–0 by the Reds, although they have not been defeated at Anfield since.