Mikel Arteta wrecked training ground office on his first day
Mikel Arteta has admitted he risked ruining his managerial career on his very first day at Arsenal by staging a theatrical stunt that could have backfired.
The Spaniard took the reins at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, succeeding Unai Emery after a brief caretaker spell under Freddie Ljungberg.
Eager to make an immediate impression on a struggling squad, Arteta decided to completely wreck his new workspace before calling his staff and players inside.
Speaking to The Athletic, Arteta said:
“I just destroyed the office and put everything on the floor — the computers, the laptops, the cables.”
He then gave the shocked group exactly two minutes to tidy up the mess and show they were ready to work together.
The high-stakes gamble paid off, but the Gunners boss knows it was an incredibly dangerous move for a rookie manager.
Reflecting on the incident, Arteta said:
“That could have been my managerial career because if that would have stayed the same way, I had no job anymore!”
Fortunately, the squad responded instantly, and when he returned to the room, the entire area was spotless.
Arteta explained that the stunt was designed to show that they had to tackle the club’s deep-rooted issues as a collective.
The moment Arteta knew the title was won
While that initial meeting set the tone, it took time for the Spaniard to build a championship-winning side.
Arsenal finally ended a 22-year drought to claim the Premier League title in May, a triumph Arteta knew was coming after a dramatic victory over West Ham United.
Leandro Trossard had put the Gunners ahead, but Callum Wilson scored a late equaliser that was eventually ruled out by VAR for a foul on David Raya.
The dramatic intervention convinced the manager that destiny was on his side as he headed home that evening.
Speaking to The Athletic about the aftermath of that crucial win, Arteta said:
“That day when I went home, I said, ‘We’re going to be champions. It is our year. This has happened for a reason, and we’re going to get it done’.”
European heartbreak leaves a lasting scar
However, the joy of domestic success was quickly followed by bitter disappointment in the Champions League.
Just 11 days after lifting the Premier League trophy, Arsenal were beaten on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain in the Budapest final.
Gabriel Magalhaes missed the decisive spot-kick, leaving Arteta with a lingering sense of pain despite an incredible European campaign.
Speaking to The Athletic about the defeat, Arteta said:
“I still have the scar, like Arsene says. I still have that poison in my veins.”
The Spaniard insists this painful memory will serve as a massive motivation for his squad moving forward.
A long-term vision for the Gunners
Arteta has now committed his long-term future to the club, signing a fresh contract until 2030, a deal that establishes him as the best-paid manager in the top flight.
The deal, worth close to £20million annually, reflects the immense progress made since his chaotic first day in 2019.
With the international break over, Arsenal must now refocus as they prepare to take on Leeds this Saturday before welcoming Lille in European action.
