MIKEL ARTETA likes to bamboozle the opposition with his use of injured players, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Arsenal boss often thinks outside the box and he has come up with plenty of unique methods to make his side title challengers.
Arteta has hired pickpockets in the past to raise his players’ awareness, and he likes to keep opposition managers on their toes too.
And there is one area where he is most secretive and at times deceptive – player injuries.
Fans often joke Arteta always claims a player is unfit when he is ready to play, and Zinchenko has revealed the opposite is also true.
Zinchenko told The Athletic: “[He] likes to play games with the opposition.
“I’ve seen him 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 started Bukayo Saka against Liverpool after saying he was “very uncertain” to play.
He then explained: “I don’t want to make it easy for anyone.
“The opponent has to make sure they do their homework – like I have to.
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“When I know, I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say, ‘He’s not fit’ and then I play him – I would never do that – but, if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.”
Zinchenko, 27, has previously disclosed dressing room secrets including the time Arteta hired an undercover professional freestyler to destroy him in training.
The freestyler posed as a waiter and caught Zinchenko completely off guard with his tricks, which left him in fits of laughter.
Earlier this year the Gunners boss even hired a team of pickpockets to raid his squad during dinner.
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.
