TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher let slip the unusual reason Arsenal had to cut their final training session before the Bournemouth game short.
The training obviously had the desired effect, with Arsenal continuing their fine form of late as they maintained their title push with a 3-0 win over The Cherries.
A first-half penalty from Bukayo Saka opened the scoring before Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice chipped in with goals in the second half.
The result was enough to open up a four point gap at the top of the Premier League, which was then cut to one after Manchester City took Wolves apart in a 5-1 win.
TNT Sports commentator Fletcher suggested that the secret to Arsenal’s title-chasing success may be the intensity of their training sessions.
Fletcher revealed that Mikel Arteta was forced to step in and intervene during Arsenal’s final training session before the Bournemouth game.
READ MORE ON ARSENAL
That was apparently because the players brought such an intensity to the session that he was worried injuries may pile-up during their run-in.
In the first half, Fletcher said: “They’re really impressing early on here, Arsenal.
Co-commentator Lucy Ward replied: “Yeah they’re at it, Arsenal. They’ve started at a lot higher tempo than Bournemouth.”
Fletcher then revealed: “It was whispered to me earlier this morning that the final training session yesterday was pretty high in tempo and physicality.
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“So much so that Mikel Arteta felt the need just to calm it down a little bit, call an earlier halt than he would have liked to have done.
“But very, very pleased with what he saw from his players and that aggression is what we’re seeing here in the early moments.”
Reflecting on the intensity of the game afterwards, Declan Rice said: “I think you saw in the first half it was domination. We could have been four or five up if I’m being honest with you. I missed a sitter and I was fuming to be honest.”
Arsenal have a point lead over City with two games left to play.
But City have a game in hand, with that coming against Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham next Thursday.
Tactics Exposed: Why Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s most important player
By Dean Scoggins
KAI HAVERTZ endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates after his big-money move from Chelsea.
But has now well and truly found his feet.
The German, 24, has found his scoring boots in recent weeks, including his double against his old club.
But Havertz has been providing much more than goals in recent months.
In fact he has become Mikel Arteta’s most important player as Arsenal go for the title.
That’s after the Spanish boss made a genius tactical switch.
Read more on how Mikel Arteta is using Kai Havertz.
Or to watch the brilliant video in full on YouTube.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
