MIKEL ARTETA used a unique method to teach his players a lesson.
The Arsenal boss took inspiration from Oliver Twist during a dinner with his squad.
Martin Odegaard and Co were left frantically patting their pockets in search of missing valuable items.
However, it was the work of their own Artful Dodger instead of a group of petty criminals.
Arteta had secretly hired a team of professional pickpockets for a dinner with his players.
Unknown to the squad, the sleight-of-hand artists were tasked with going around the tables at the event.
They then pinched valuable items including phones and wallets from the Arsenal stars.
At the end of the meal, Arteta stood up in front of the group to ask them to empty their pockets.
Several players were left shocked to find they were missing their belongings.
Arteta used the event to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times.
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It was all part of an approach to rebuild the club, changing the atmosphere both within the squad and the stadium.
The Spaniard has also swapped volume for intensity in training and brought in the club dog Win.
As a result, he has over seen Arsenal’s transformation into title challengers since his appointment in December 2019.
He followed an FA Cup triumph in 2020 with a return to the Champions League in 2023.
Arsenal also achieved a second successive runners-up finish behind Manchester City last season, having not placed as high since 2016.
The Gunners, who made the last eight of the Champions League last term, have also seen steady year-on-year progress in their league finishes.
Arteta is now preparing for his fifth full season in charge and hoping his players can pick City’s pocket and snatch the Premier League title.
