Mikel Arteta taps into global coaching elite to inspire Arsenal | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has outlined the methods he employs to drive Arsenal towards success, heavily influenced by knowledge drawn from elite coaches across rugby, basketball, and American football.

Arteta has built a network of expertise from leaders such as Scott Robertson of the All Blacks, Steve Kerr of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, and NFL head coaches, all of whom inform his strategic vision for Arsenal.

Jones, Kerr and McVay – Arteta’s elite network – The Times, 2 November 2024

Arteta’s engagement with Scott Robertson, in particular, has been pivotal in shaping his philosophy on fostering a winning culture.

Recently, the All Blacks visited Arsenal’s training ground at London Colney, further strengthening the relationship Arteta has built with Robertson.

Arteta met Robertson through a mutual acquaintance in Australia and regards him as “an inspiration”, noting Robertson’s charismatic approach to leadership. The All Blacks’ emphasis on team culture, individual identity, and collective responsibility resonates strongly with Arteta’s aims at Arsenal.

“I have a good relationship with Razor [Robertson]. He is an inspiration, such a character,” said Arteta. Robertson’s influence is captured in the book ‘Legacy’ by James Kerr, which Arteta often recommends for its insight into high-performance culture.

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“It talks about them, their culture, their winning mentality and how they approach sport, life, and relationships,” Arteta said. He has leveraged these principles to instil a deeper appreciation among Arsenal players for the significance of representing the club. “When somebody plays with that feeling, it elevates his level of commitment, it elevates his capacity to perform,” he added.

Since transitioning from player to coach, Arteta has sought perspectives beyond football’s traditional limits. His network includes Steve Kerr, Eddie Jones, former England rugby coach, and NFL figures such as Sean McVay and Matt LaFleur. According to Arteta, these connections provide critical insights, allowing discussions that are more candid than those he could have with direct footballing rivals.

“What I like the most is that you can talk openly with somebody that is doing a very similar job in terms of the demands that we all have,” Arteta said. “You can share things that, probably with a football coach in the league, you cannot.” This openness enables Arteta to apply diverse strategies while maintaining the confidentiality required within football.

Adopting new terminologies and concepts from other sports has also been part of Arteta’s evolution, such as describing substitutes as “impact players”. This terminology, borrowed from high-performance environments, highlights his commitment to adaptability—a key element as Arsenal continue to compete with Manchester City for Premier League dominance. Arteta’s regular meetings with coaches from rugby, basketball, and American football have granted him a broader tactical and leadership perspective, allowing for innovative approaches within football.

The All Blacks’ visit to Arsenal came at a hectic time, with the club also preparing for a midweek Carabao Cup fixture against Preston. Although Arteta was unable to spend as much time with the New Zealand squad as wanted, the event underscored his dedication to embedding diverse sporting philosophies into Arsenal’s culture.