Arteta Reveals Arsenal’s Preseason Travel Disruption Strategy

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he deliberately created disruptions during preseason to prepare his players and staff for unexpected problems during the season. The exercises included delaying meals and transportation, changing travel routes, arriving late, making dressing rooms hotter and reducing massage-bed availability. The approach was tested when Arsenal’s flight from Luton to Naples was delayed by about three hours because of an air-traffic-control crisis before their Champions League match. Arteta said the team adapted without panicking or treating the delay as an excuse, then won 1-0 through Martin Ødegaard’s late goal.