Soccer

DEPENDING on who you ask, Mikel Arteta is either a lunatic or a genius.Opposition fans are always ready to ridicule his barmy ideas for keeping his Arsenal players engaged and on the edge.Mikel Arteta is not afraid to use unorthodox methodsCredit: GettyArteta, 42, has been compared with David BrentCredit: HandoutArsenal’s All or Nothing Amazon Prime series first exposed just how unconventional the Gunners boss can be when it comes to getting his players going.But whether you think he looks like a poor David Brent impersonator or not – few can argue with the results.Arteta has transformed Arsenal across his five years at the helm in north London.The club was on its knees when the Spaniard stepped in to replace Unai Emery, but they are now serial and serious title challengers with the whole squad bought into Arteta’s ethos – no matter how quirky.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFormer captain Granit Xhaka once described his manager as “a freak, but in a positive way.”SunSport runs you through the bizarre and brilliant history of Arteta’s methods…IN THE DRESSING ROOMThe moment that kicked everything off around Arteta’s left-field techniques came in the Emirates dressing room ahead of a derby win over Tottenham.Arteta whipped out a flipchart and started drawing a heart and a brain, symbolising passion and clarity, holding hands with an Arsenal fan behind them.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYArteta has built strong relationships with his playersCredit: AFPHe said: “We have to play with our big hearts.”At the same time, we have to play with a big brain. And these have to work together.”Mikel Arteta looks forward to Arsenal’s Champions league clash with Dinamo ZagrebArteta later revealed that the players were joking about his antics after the game – but accepted any jibes given the ploy had clearly worked.The dressing room has been the scene of some of Arteta’s most famous moments, with the boss brandishing a lightbulb urging his players to “go out there and turn the f***ing light on!”.Arsenal lost 2-1 to Brighton that day.Arteta said: “You win the game it works, you don’t win the game, it doesn’t work.”Ahead of another north London derby victory, the former club captain called on the Arsenal photographer, Stuart MacFarlane to deliver an impassioned team talk.It is not just within the walls of The Emirates where Arteta tries to make a difference.The club also work hard to make their players feel at home on the road, decorating the walls of away changing rooms at opposing team’s grounds with Arsenal crests and colours.Mikel Arteta draws heart and brain holding hands from Amazon documentaryCredit: AMAZON PRIME VIDEOStuart McFarlaneCredit: AMAZON PRIME VIDEOMAD MEETINGSPlayers walking in to one of Arteta’s meetings never know what to expect.In the past they have been tasked with squeezing as much juice out of a lemon as possible – only for Arteta to get a few more drips out to show “there is always more to give.”Arteta flashes up pictures of F1 cars, either on a clear road or crowded out, to demonstrate whether opponents will be sitting deep or leaving space in behind.But easily the most unexpected was during a team meal.Arteta and his coaches secretly hired a team of pick-pockets to go around the table posing as waiters and lift phones and room keys from the unsuspecting Gunners squad.It was meant as a lesson to always be alert and on guard, though was mocked by some former players and current pundits – including Roy Keane.Everyone’s is looking at each other like, ‘What the f**k is this?Oleksandr ZinchenkoDuring a meal ahead of a 3-2 win over Manchester United, Arteta invited a seemingly random waiter to take on Oleksandr Zinchenko during a team lunch.But the ‘waiter’ turned out to be a professional freestyler.Writing in his book, Zinchenko said: “This guy is killing it. He’s basically destroying us. He even nutmegs Bukayo Saka.”Everyone’s is looking at each other like, ‘What the f**k is this? Everyone’s cheering him on and laughing.“Turns out he’s a professional freestyler with millions of followers whom Mikel had planted at the hotel as a waiter.”The mood in the camp was incredible after that.”People were buzzing on the way to the bus. That whole thing really pushed the right buttons.”Arteta even sets his team quizzes on opposition tactics in team meetings and has them playing games such as Pictionary in the build-up to matches.While he has also had the entire squad playing with “hundreds” of large dominoes to show the importance of every piece being in the right place.Oleksandr Zinchenko has lifted the lid on some of Arteta’s methodsCredit: GettyDURING TRAININGArteta has decided not only to annoy his children with some of his musical choices, but his players too.This week the Gunners prepared to face Dinamo Zagreb with some famous Samba hits as their backing track.In a bid to lift the London Colney mood, Arteta blasted out Sergio Mendes’ Mas Que Nada, famous for being used in Nike’s advert featuring the Brazil 1998 World Cup squad.Arteta said: “It happens in all of us. You play a song and immediately you feel different, and we have certain songs that trigger something in our team, because they have some history as well with us.“I will use it when we believe it’s the right way to do it.“Sometimes I play a song many, many times with my family and [the kids] say: ‘Dad, can we stop it, please?’ I don’t know, it’s a feeling.”Belgian forward Leandro Trossard added: “At the start when I joined it was a bit weird for me that we had this, but now it’s just natural for us to have the music playing when we’re warming up.”In the past, Arteta has also played Liverpool’s You’ll Never Walk Alone anthem to prepare his side for a trip to Anfield – which they lost 4-0.There was plenty of stick following that, given Arsenal fell so short on Merseyside, but other sports have taken note too.During practice rounds for January’s Team Cup golf tournament, which featured a host of European Ryder Cup hopefuls, captain Luke Donald made players tee off as speakers blared “U-S-A” chants.It was implemented to prepare the golfers for their Ryder Cup trip to Bethpage Black where they will face a ferocious New York crowd.Arteta had speakers brought into trainingCredit: Amazon Prime Video SportArsenal have been known to train with music onCredit: PAAT LONDON COLNEYIt is at the club’s training base just off the M25 where a lot of Arteta’s changes are most keenly felt.The Gunners boss has planted trees outside his office in order to show the importance of caring for roots and foundations in order for things to flourish and grow.Motivational messages have been plastered across the walls and there is even a new word which has been created around Colney.Arteta has coined the phrase ‘collaboretition’ – collaboration and competition – to try and drive the squad forwards.But the most popular and noticeable change at the training ground is the chocolate Labrador, rather sickeningly named Win.Win was brought in off the back of research which suggested petting a dog can promote a sense of unity.Arteta once said: “She is one of us and will be on our journey.”She changes your mood. You come in the building and she gives all her love. Suddenly you just feel the energy and the players start hugging her, it is beautiful to watch. Those things are very important.”There are things at the club that can be done to connect with people, to show love, and I found this dog was the perfect representative of who we are now.”We all love winning and Win needs a lot of love.”The tricks Arteta employs to give his players an extra edge are no doubt entertaining and baffling, and could easily wear thin if overused.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut even though clips have shown players looking confused and Arteta himself has admitted there have been jokes made at his expense, there is method to the madness.While they may have fallen just short in years gone by, if the Spaniard’s stunts help deliver Arsenal a trophy, players and fans will let him do whatever he likes.Arsenal ratings vs Aston VillaArsenal’s title hopes took a huge hit as they threw away a two-goal lead against Aston VillaLeandro Trossard turned provider for the Gunners to set up both goals as it looked like they would cruise to three points.But defensive lapses from two stars cost Arteta’s side dearly.Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the players…DAVID RAYA – 6/10Let down by those in front of him for both goals, a duo of close range efforts he had no chance with.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 8With performances like this, he is suddenly the first name on the team sheet for Arteta. So calm and composed for someone so young, and his strength against bigger opposition is scary at times.GABRIEL – 7Made a crucial tackle one-on-one with Watkins and another block from a speedy counterJURRIEN TIMBER – 7Alert to foil counters against the pace of Watkins and coped well in general. It is not his fault that he doesn’t have the defensive presence of Saliba.THOMAS PARTEY – 6A great stint at right back but one lapse in concentration cost Arsenal the lead, losing track of Watkins in the box before he volleyed in.MIKEL MERINO – 6A workman-like performance – won his duels and worked his socks off, but the small details were missing, shanking a good chance well wide in the first half.He then lost his marker to allow Tielemans to head in and make it 2-1. Could have won it at the end with a scuffed effort in off Havertz that VAR chalked off and smacked the post too.DECLAN RICE – 7Integral to everything good about Arsenal and came close with a long-range punt in the second half.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6A solid display but he is really missing his partner in crime in Saka. He created as much as he could but sometimes needs to be more selfish to drag his team over the line.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 8Deflected effort was comfortable for Martinez but his superb cross made life much harder for the Villa keeper to tee up Martinelli for the opener before blazing over himself.The Belgian racked up his fifth Prem assist of the season in the second half for Havertz.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8Threatened at the far post early on, but got his rewards from the same position in the 35th minute with a stabbed effort ahead of Maatsen.KAI HAVERTZ – 8Again, lack of decent service left him living off scraps, but when he got a scrap he fired an effort straight at Martinez from close range.The German more than made up for it after the break with a clinical finish, even if Martinez should have done better. That will do wonders for his confidence.SUBS:RAHEEM STERLING (MARTINELLI, 82) – 6A few darting runs, but added virtually nothing, other than a needless yellow card. A cameo that screamed “lacking confidence”. More

RUBEN AMORIM has broke his silence on smashing a TV screen in anger after Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton.The manager is alleged to have let out his frustrations at the players when they returned to the dressing room after the final whistle on Sunday.Ruben Amorim addressed reports he smashed a TV after the loss to BrightonCredit: RexThe TV can be seen behind Amad Diallo on the day of the Brighton gameAmorim tends to stay silent straight after a game and prefers to analyse the performance when he things have settled down.But the boss instead ripped into his team, with a TV inside the changing room used for showing tactics feeling the full force of his outburst.He later spoke to the press and claimed he is in charge of the “worst Manchester United team in history”.Asked about the incident ahead of the Europa League clash against Rangers tomorrow, Amorim said: “I didn’t think, that’s why. I’m a young guy and sometimes I make a mistake. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”That’s why I don’t [usually] speak after the game. This game, I needed to talk and maybe it was a mistake.”Then I get more nervous and go to the [press] conference really nervous and say things you should not say.”I don’t promise I will not do it again. I don’t know, but I’ll try to improve.”Amorim later clarified his comments, adding: “I did not say I was nervous. I said the team was nervous and I was frustrated.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”Frustrated is different from nervous. If you say for the players it is good to see the coach frustrated, maybe not, but I did not say I was nervous.”We, as a team, it is always, we. I am saying the obvious, if you want I can be delusional and say different things.Man Utd’s owners will have ‘very strong word’ with Ruben Amorim over ‘bizarre and ridiculous’ claim, says Carragher “I say it as I saw it and I say to the players. It is a good thing to be honest with you.”If you want me to say different things – I saw one thing and I tell you a different thing – I can start to do that, it is easier for me.”I am not nervous, I am frustrated.”United players and staff were reportedly left shocked by the manager’s fit of rage in the dressing room.Eagle-eyed fans also spotted a cut on his finger as he spoke to the media after the Brighton defeat.United’s record at home this season is the club’s worst in the league in 131 years – when they went by the name of Newton Heath.They have not lost six games at Old Trafford in 12 opening league appearances since the 1893-94 season, when they lost seven.READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim’s men are 13th in the Premier League after 22 matches.They sit closer to the relegation zone (10 points) than they do the top four (12 points).Man Utd ratings vs BrightonBy Ken LawrenceANDRE ONANA was back to his worst as Manchester United fell to another Old Trafford defeat.It appeared Ruben Amorim’s side had turned a corner in recent weeks with a draw at Anfield and an FA Cup penalty shoot-out win at Arsenal.But dreadful individual mistakes cost them yet again with Onana the chief culprit.The keeper dropped a huge clanger as he palmed a simple cross straight to Georginio Rutter under no pressure whatsoever.There were few positive notes for the Red Devils as Amad once again provided a spark.Here is how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the United display…ANDRE ONANA: 2 – No chance with either of the Seagulls’ first two goals. But an awful howler to gift them their third.MATTHIJS DE LIGT: 5 – Certainly doesn’t look like he likes players running at him as Kaoru Mitoma constantly did. Looked unsure of himself throughout.HARRY MAGUIRE: 6 – The one member of United’s three-man central defence who looked like he knew what he was doing. Beginning to believe in himself again.LENY YORO: 5 – The £52m youngster is still settling into the Premier League to be fair to him. But he is certainly taking his time about it.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 4 – Has been one of the few consistent successes of Amorim’s tactical revolution. Yet he had a real shocker this time around.MANUEL UGARTE: 5 – Supposedly “tired” in the 3-1 win over Southampton the midfielder looked brighter here. Yet he still doesn’t look that switched on.KOBBIE MAINOO: 4 – Where is last season’s Kobbie? Looks nothing like the buzzing homegrown midfielder who burst on the scene last season.DIOGO DALOT: 5 – Did his duties as a left wing-back to the best of his abilities. Another United player, however, who looked nothing like sharp enough.AMAD DIALLO: 7 – Thursday night’s 12-minute treble hero on a high again – unlike, again, so many team-mates. Sometimes his footwork is just dazzling.BRUNO FERNANDES: 6 – Ultra-cool from the spot but that goal didn’t do much to raise his performance level. Had one of those days where nothing really clicked.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE: 5 – “Won” the penalty after being brought down although Carlos Baleba’s challenge would have looked good in a wrestling ring. There’s a footballer in there somewhere…SUBSALEJANDRO GARNACHO (for Mainoo 64): 5 – Struggled to make an impact in a team that was being taken apart.TOBY COLLYER (for Ugarte 64): 5 – Plenty of youthful commitment but still too inexperienced to lift a side as poor as Amorim’s.ANTONY (for Mazraoui 84): 4 – Talk about a last throw of the dice by Amorim…RASMUS HOJLUND (for Zirkzee 84): 4 – Given a thankless task in the closing moments of another depressing display. More