Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is once again thinking outside the box.
Known for his unconventional coaching methods, the Spaniard is now turning to an unlikely source for guidance: RAF fighter pilots.
His goal? To sharpen communication skills across his squad in ways he believes could make a real difference on the pitch.
From Pickpockets to Stadium Chants
Arteta isn’t new to unorthodox training methods.
In the past, he hired professional pickpockets to sneak items from his players during team dinners, aiming to teach them the importance of staying alert at all times.
He’s also blasted “You’ll Never Walk Alone” over loudspeakers during training sessions to acclimatize his squad to the intimidating atmosphere at Anfield before a visit to Liverpool.
Learning Life-or-Death Precision
Speaking at the Lead Better, Live Better Summit 2025 alongside basketball legend Steve Kerr, Arteta explained his fascination with fighter pilot communication. “The British fighter planes, for example. I will get in touch with those guys, how they communicate, because that is life or death,” he said.
He continued, emphasizing the need for concise, precise messaging: “I’m sure they don’t use 20 phrases or 20 words if there is one word.
Don’t say, ‘Nah, the wind is coming this way, now you have to turn left,’ because boom, dead. So, it will be one word.”
Bringing in the Experts
Arteta is keen to have the pilots analyze Arsenal’s internal communication over several days.
“I want you to analyze our process—three days, how we communicate, how we do that in training… I want to get better at this.
And be vulnerable… get it smashed and say, ‘You guys are terrible at this, you need to improve.’ OK, we are going to get better at this,” he said.
The manager sees value in studying how other high-performance professionals operate.
“Getting to understand these people, how they think, how they operate, how this relates to Formula One, how this relates to something else, and try to improve on that,” he added.
Small Touches Make a Big Difference
Arteta’s inventive streak doesn’t stop there. This season, he had the outer cover of the Emirates Stadium tunnel removed to amplify the home fans’ roar as players walk out.
And at the training ground, his Labrador, Win, is a familiar sight, providing a lighter touch amid intense preparation.