MIKEL ARTETA was spotted checking his “dark arts” notepad which included THREE key principles to beating Southampton.
Arsenal secured a 3-1 home win against the Premier League’s basement boys on Saturday to keep his side hot on the tails of Man City and Liverpool.
The Gunners came from behind to secure all three points thanks to strikes from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
And Arsenal have now won their last four in all competitions while remaining unbeaten.
However, Arteta may have to rethink his tactics for the next match at Bournemouth.
The Spaniard loves to make scribbles on tactical plans before and during matches.
And unfortunately for Arteta, his latest notes were caught in broad daylight at the Emirates.
One piece of paper, with a red header and footer, appeared to show positions on the field with various instructions.
However, it was difficult to make out what exactly it said, with the black ink written on the other side.
Yet another note was clearer to see.
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And it appeared to outline Arteta’s three “principles” to beating Southampton.
The first note read: “Force AR 6 yard.”
It is unclear what exactly this meant.
But it could be interpreted as instructions to make Saints goalie and former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale play on the edge of his six-yard box.
Arteta’s next two “principles” were harder to gauge due to his fingers blocking the final words.
One read: “Force our…”
And the second added: “Avoid switch…”
Below, there was another section to Arteta’s masterplan.
Tolami Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka
Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.
They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.
Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard
A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.
Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz
Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.
They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.
Milly White – partner of Ben White
The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.
Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard
The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.
They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.
Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice
Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.
She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.
Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale
Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.
The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.
One note said: “Throw ins. Who takes it?”
While the second said “right” before being cut off by Arteta’s fingers.
After the game, the Spaniard praised his Arsenal players for their resilient performance.
He said: “Saka has the capacity to change and decide games.
“If we want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he’s done that again.
“What he is doing at his age is unbelievable — and when the team needs him. That’s what defines a top player.”
On Havertz, Arteta added: “He wants more. He’s not satisfied. There is still another level from him.
“He’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him. You really sense that confidence in him.
“Now he’s putting it in games and he’s winning matches, which is great. He’s an attacking midfielder, he’s a nine, you don’t know where he is.
“That’s his football brain. His focus is, ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going do it’.”
