A year ago
Arteta used a video to motivate his players before their 2-0 Premier League win
Mikel Arteta used a video of his side's painful defeat against Newcastle United last year to motivate his players before their 2-0 Premier League win at St James's Park on Sunday. The loss on Tyneside last May dashed Arsenal's hopes of finishing in the top four, allowing arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur to claim a Champions League spot instead. However, Arsenal got their revenge this time around with goals from Martin Odegaard and a Fabian Schar own goal.
Arteta explained that he made his players watch the Amazon documentary "All or Nothing" before leaving their pre-match hotel to remind them of the pain of their defeat last year. He stressed the importance of feeling those emotions again and approaching the game differently. The manager said that the word they used was "pain" and the desire for revenge. The players took it to heart and delivered an impressive performance.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who made several world-class saves during the game, said that the collective memory of last year's defeat was a massive motivation for the team. He added that they had a burning desire to ensure that it wouldn't happen again. The victory was especially sweet for the team, considering the pressure they were under after Manchester City's 10th consecutive league win on Saturday, which opened up a four-point lead.
Captain Odegaard said that last year's defeat at Newcastle was one of the toughest days of his career, and he was proud of the team's mentality to bounce back from it. He stressed the importance of continuing to fight until the end of the season and being ready for anything that might happen. The win keeps Arsenal firmly in the hunt for their first title since 2004, although they have played a game more than Manchester City.
In conclusion, Mikel Arteta's decision to use a video of his team's past defeat as motivation paid off, and Arsenal secured a crucial victory against Newcastle United. The players' burning desire to avoid a repeat of last year's disappointment was evident, and they delivered an impressive performance. The win keeps Arsenal's hopes of winning the title alive, and they will need to continue fighting until the end of the season to achieve their goal.
Please share and comment below.
Total Comments: 0