With the Premier League title race reaching it’s 2024 crescendo, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta understands the critical role of mental preparedness.

Alongside physical training, he emphasises building mental toughness and resilience using a unique “drizzle effect” approach.

Arteta’s no-nonsense approach to mental prep fuels Arsenal’s title charge

As the Premier League title race heads towards its conclusion, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta knows the importance of keeping his players mentally sharp. While their physical exhaustion is evident, Arteta believes that overcoming mental fatigue is crucial: “There are a lot of studies that prove that tiredness is in the mind,” Arteta told reporters before the game against Chelsea. “If you can change the context and manipulate certain things, you can get something out of people that you probably don’t expect.”

Mental preparation isn’t about last-minute speeches

Arteta’s approach isn’t focused on sudden bursts of motivation. Instead, he emphasises consistent preparation. He likens the psychological messages he imparts to a subtle “drizzle,” a constant reinforcement that builds mental resilience over time. This approach aims to make the right mindset a habit, not a last-minute scramble.

“It is not something you can do on the day, to change the outcome of the next three weeks,” he said. “It is something that you do daily. I call it a drizzle. If you go out there and you don’t take an umbrella, you are constantly getting wet every single day. And then, before you know it, you are soaking wet and you are ready, because it is every single day as a habit.”

Winning mentality counters fatigue

Arteta doesn’t deny the squad’s physical tiredness, but he observes a different energy on the training ground. “When I saw them this morning, I had to stop them. I had to stop them. Because winning is such a big boost of energy.” Winning provides a psychological lift, helping players push through physical exhaustion.

Arteta’s focus on psychology

Arteta’s interest in mental preparation isn’t new. He’s studied books like ‘Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgement’ and draws inspiration from renowned coaches across different sports.

Arteta isn’t trying to outsmart his players or rely on complex theories. His approach is about continuous, subtle reinforcement, aimed at building a mentally resilient squad that can handle the pressure of the final stretch and perform at their best when it matters most.