Mikel Arteta digs out Ben White and threatens to kick four Arsenal players out of training in All or Nothing
The upcoming episodes of All or Nothing: Arsenal have revealed a tense conversation between Mikel Arteta and Ben White in a tactical meeting, while the Spanish coach was also livid with a lack of effort from four players in training.
With Arsenal needing to produce a good run of results in their pursuit of a top-four berth last season, they showed a few frailties at the back when they travelled to Watford in March – something they would need to eradicate for a looming clash with Liverpool.
Although the Gunners left Vicarage Road with all three points, they conceded twice in the 3-2 victory – with Cucho Hernandez and Moussa Sissoko both on the score sheet – and were perhaps a little fortunate not to concede a third.
Arteta was unimpressed with what he saw from his back-line that day and pulled his defensive unit aside for a separate meeting to discuss the issues and how they could improve – though seemed to be a little annoyed by White’s response, singling him out.
After showing a slide explaining what he wanted from his defenders, and highlighting some issues against Watford, Arteta says to his players: ‘The other day we suffered, we had difficulties defensively. You agree with that? Yeah? So we need to understand why, ok? The first one, as a line you have to be one. We were one line, yes or no?’
Arteta’s question was met with complete silence from the players so he eventually called on White to answer him, who replied: ‘Na, I think we’ve been much better.’
Arteta continued to direct his questions at White, saying: ‘Communication, coaching, were you active coaching the other day during the game?’
OUR OBJECTIVE AS BACK LINE:
BE ONE > COORDINATION COMMUNICATION DEFEND IN BEHIND DEFEND THE BOX + DUELS
White admitted he had not been