Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is back to his latest motivational gimmicks, bringing a dog to raise spirits at the training ground.
The chocolate Labrador, affectionately named Win, is now a regular presence at London Colney. The furry friend spends most of its time contributing to a positive practice environment.
But “Win” is not the only animal resident at the training center.
Bob, a resident cat, also graces the Gunners players with his presence as a regular feature at the facility. The club adopted Bob after his owner’s passing, and he now offers comfort to the players.
According to reports, both the dog and cat get along well.
Mikel Arteta finds a unique way to improve the morale
Amazon’s All or Nothing documentary series covered Arsenal’s 2021/22 season and provided a glimpse into Arteta’s unconventional motivational methods.
The Spaniard’s antics include holding up a light bulb in the dressing room, sketching images, ridiculing competitor’s tweets, and setting up speakers to play ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before a trip to Anfield.
The dog is the latest experiment in Arteta’s long experiment of inspirational cues.
However, the pooch is a much-needed addition to a side that most likely capitulated the title to Manchester City this season. Research has indicated that dogs are highly effective in reducing stress.
The Gunners spent 248 days on top of the Premier League this season, 93% of the season before Man City returned with a vengeance. City can claim the title this Sunday with a win against 11th-place Chelsea.
While Arsenal certainly can’t depend on their latest canine transfer to provide a late jinx to their Sky Blue rivals, “Win” can start setting the tone for next season.
Earlier this week, Arteta brought the dog to witness goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signing his contract extension. Arsenal also wants to nail down contract extensions for William Saliba and Bukayo Saka‘s contracts this summer.
Chances are high that the 41-year-old boss will also bring the dog with him to celebrate those signings.
Photo: Instagram/mikelarteta
