Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta has reportedly hired a chocolate Labrador to help reduce his players’ stress levels at the London Colney training ground. The team’s recent loss to Brighton has left them four points behind Manchester City, who could secure their third straight title by beating Chelsea on Sunday.
Despite falling short of glory this season, it has been an encouraging one for the Gunners, and Arteta hopes the new addition will enhance the mood at the training ground. The Labrador has a primary carer and is said to get along well with the resident cat bob.
Arteta’s latest recruit is a dog named ‘Win’, which is an interesting choice of name considering Arsenal’s recent performance. The team only managed to win twice in their last seven games, causing their title hopes to crumble.
Arteta is known for his quirks and gimmicks, as seen in the Amazon Prime documentary All or Nothing. During the last season, he drew pictures, played You’ll Never Walk Alone before a game, and even held up a lightbulb in the dressing room.
He also floods the training ground with positive reinforcement and messages, which may have influenced the dog’s name. Win was brought in to help calm and reduce stress levels, as research shows that petting a dog can have these effects.
Arteta believes that having a dog around can contribute to the team’s sense of togetherness, which is something he always looks for.
As an example, he brought his Labrador into the boardroom to witness Aaron Ramsdale signing a new contract with the club. Ramsdale has committed to a long-term future with the Gunners.
