Mikel Arteta takes an OLIVE TREE into Arsenal’s team meetings

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed he has brought an olive tree to team meetings this season to show that growth only comes when the roots are nurtured.

Arteta has guided a remarkable transformation in his Arsenal side this season, taking them from fifth place last year to a serious title challenge this season – although they are likely to miss out on Manchester City after a poor final month of the season.

After revealing earlier this week that he’d brought in a chocolate lab named Win in an effort to improve the team’s togetherness, he outlined another of his now-common leadership quirks that he’d introduced to try and win his side. to assist.

“It’s very strong, but needs a lot of care,” Arteta said. “We have to take care of the roots every day, make sure they don’t get poisoned, don’t damage them and stay in good condition.”

Arteta watched his side lose their grip on the title race after a poor run of form last month

Arteta said the 150-year-old olive tree (not pictured) requires a lot of care

The Spain manager also planted a 150-year-old tree outside his office at the club’s London Colney training base. Arteta has consistently outlined the importance of growth and the path of continuous improvement for his team to follow.

Much of last season’s Amazon Prime documentary, All or Nothing, which followed Arsenal’s progress last season, focused on Arteta’s various leadership methods, many of which are considered quite off the beaten track.

The documentary showed him drawing characters on a white board trying to describe the emotions of the players as he had speakers brought to London Colney’s training grounds ahead of a trip to Anfield in the League Cup to try and capture the famous atmosphere of mimic Liverpool.

“The response from the players has been incredible,” Arteta said of the attention paid to Win, the dog. “She is one of us and will be on our journey.

She changes your mood. You enter the building and she gives all her love. Suddenly you just feel the energy and the players start hugging her, it’s beautiful to see. Those things are very important.

“There are things in the club that can be done to connect with people, to show love, and I found that this dog was the perfect representative of who we are today,” said Arteta.

“We all like to win and Win needs a lot of love.”

The chocolate Labrador (not pictured) has been given the name ‘Win’ and is a regular sight at the London Colney club’s training ground

Mikel Arteta has recruited a dog from Arsenal’s training ground to reduce players’ stress levels

The Gunners’ title hopes came to an end after last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to Brighton

Arsenal are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer as they look to face more expectations and Champions League football next season.

Returning to the elite of European club football for the first time since the 2016-17 season, Arteta knows his side will need additions – in addition to tying the club’s existing talent to new long-term contracts – to continue their upward trajectory .

The club are interested in midfielders Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, from West Ham and Brighton respectively, while reports have linked them with a new defender and striker.

“To go to the next level, the summer will be crucial for us,” said Arteta. “As you get closer to the top, the margins get smaller.”