Mikel Arteta has explained the thought process behind buying a dog for Arsenal’s training ground, claiming the reaction from the players has been ‘incredible’.
The Spanish coach is famed for his unique ways of trying to motivate his players, notably playing You’ll Never Walk Alone through loud speakers in training before a trip to Anfield as well as holding up a lightbulb in the changing room to show the power of connections.
His latest idea has seen him bring in a new permanent addition to the club’s London Colney training ground .
Arteta believes the dog’s presence has enhanced the family atmosphere he is trying to cultivate as well as improving the mood of players and staff, while she has been named ‘Win’ because ‘we all love winning’.
The Arsenal boss explained: ‘We always talk about family, and being connected. A big family like we are at the club, and I feel like we are a family, we need a dog to represent that family.
‘I think there are still things at the club that can be done to connect with people. To be more caring with people, to show love.
‘I carefully chose the dog and in my opinion it’s the perfect representative of who we are right now.
‘Her name is Win, we all love winning and Win needs a lot of love. So the love for Win, that was basically the feeling.
‘The reaction from the players and the staff has been incredible, she is one of us. She is going to be on this journey with us together.
‘It’s something that changes your mood like this [clicks fingers]. She gives you all the love and suddenly you feel the energy of the place. It’s just beautiful and to me those things are very important.
‘Win needs accountability from us because we have to look after her as well, her emotions and what she needs.’
The canine’s arrival is not the only new addition to London Colney, with Arteta also using an olive tree as symbolism for the togetherness he wants to instil at Arsenal.
He added: ‘Another symbol at the club is our tree. It needs a lot of care as well.
‘It’s an olive tree, it’s older than 150 years, similar to the club, and we have to look after those roots every single to the day, make sure they don’t get poisoned, don’t get damaged and it’s in the right condition.’
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