"He likes to play games with the opposition" - Oleksandr Zinchenko shares how Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta puts managers 'off the scent' with mind games

Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has spoken about how his manager Mikel Arteta often plays mind games with the opposition coaches ahead of games. The Spanish manager is considered among the finest tacticians in Europe, having made his side regular challengers for the Premier League title.

While Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side may have won four league titles on the trot, Arteta's side made them work hard over the last two seasons. The Cityzens won the league title by five points in the 2022-23 season with Arsenal coming second, and that gap was reduced to two points in the 2023-24 season.

Mikel Arteta took an Arsenal side that looked ragged under Unai Emery and transformed them into one of England's best sides. Oleksandr Zinchenko has now revealed that his manager uses subtle tactics off the field as well.

He mentioned in his book 'Believe' that Arteta enjoys playing mind games, writing (via The Athletic):

“I've seen Mikel Arteta tell injured players to come on the team bus and walk into the dressing room with their wash bag, to put the other manager off the scent. Arteta loves to play games with the opposition!”

Mind games are a thing managers often employ to force their opponents into tactical changes. In the week leading up to the Gunners' clash against Chelsea, Arteta spoke of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard being major injury doubts. All three started the game, which finished in a 1-1 draw.

The Gunners have struggled to maintain their form from the last two seasons. They are currently fourth in the league table, nine points off league leaders Liverpool after 11 games.

Arsenal receive double injury boost ahead of Premier League return

Arsenal could receive a major injury boost ahead of their clash against high-flying Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday, November 23. Two of their injury absentees are reportedly set to return to training and achieve full fitness for Forest's visit, who have the same number of points as the Gunners.

Defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori have returned to training, as per Express Sports (via Now Arsenal), and will be available for the game against Forest. Their return is a welcome development for Mikel Arteta, who has just lost Ben White to injury for the best part of two months.

Tomiyasu has appeared just once this season amid struggles with a troublesome knee injury that has bothered him since the summer. Calafiori, as well, has missed a month of action with a knee problem but is now set to return. The pair of full-backs will likely feature as Arteta looks to end a four-match winless run in the league.