Mikel Arteta instructs Alexandre Lacazette to not use flicks in rondo sessions at Arsenal training sessions, as the former player takes the charge.
Arsenal has signed Mikel Arteta as the new manager and a fixed replacement to Unai Emery who was sacked nearly a month ago after a decision made by the club’s board.
Now, with Arteta in charge of the club, the Spaniard is looking forward in infusing discipline in the club in order to enhance his player’s performances at the club.
In a clip surfaced online, Arteta was seen schooling his players in the training. Arsenal players were taking part in quick passing drill also known as ‘Rondo’ when star striker Alexandre Lacazette asks Arteta if he can perform flicks and back heels.
Arteta immediately says no and according to David Ornstein from the Athletic, the new Arsenal coach emphasis that drill is about getting in the right body shape and positioning to find the best pass and receive the ball.
WATCH THIS:
Arteta doing a quick passing drill, Lacazette asks him if he can use flicks and backheels during the drill.
Arteta tells him no, the drill is to work on correct body shape and positioning to find the best pass and to be in the correct position to receive a pass #AFC pic.twitter.com/bmj09BBPXD
— Cathal Lynch (@DeathByFootball) December 24, 2019
Later in in the drill:
he stops the session after Xhaka misplaces a pass, tells him exactly what way he wants him to move when receiving a pass like the one he received to open up angles for himself.
This is proper coaching of players. When have we last seen this at Arsenal.
— Cathal Lynch (@DeathByFootball) December 24, 2019
The 37-year-old also reportedly stopped rondos whenever players were flicking the ball. “You don’t do this during the match, so why are you doing it now?” he apparently told his players.
Ornstein: During the training session on Sunday when the players were doing the rondos – quite a few of the Arsenal players were flicking it with a trick to elude the defender and Arteta stopped each time and said "You don't do this during the match, so why are you doing it now?"
— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) December 24, 2019
Arteta left Pep Guardiola’s team at Manchester City to only join the North London club, where he served as a player for several years. In his first interview as an Arsenal manager, he clarified his intention.
“I don’t want people hiding,” Arteta vowed as he met the media for the first time. I want people taking responsibility for the job. Anybody that doesn’t buy into this is not good enough for this environment or culture.” he said.
His first test as a manager of the club will be against Bournemouth away on the boxing day, then the Gunners will face Chelsea in their last match of 2019.
