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The Arsenal players exchanged angry words with each other in an open meeting after coach Mikel Arteta brought the team together to identify the reasons behind their poor start to the season.
Sources have told ESPN that Arteta rallied the entire first-team group on Tuesday in an attempt to address a slump in form that has left them 14th in the Premier League.
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Arteta sought to bring his players together and invited a frank exchange of views while informing them that he is continuing to investigate the source of the leaks that led to a training ground fight between Dani Ceballos and David Luiz becoming public. .
After this first meeting, the coaching staff left, but the players stayed for a second impromptu discussion among themselves, which has been described by multiple sources as “stormy” and “intense”.
Sources claim that this second conversation involved an angry but constructive dialogue with “finger points” and raised voices, but ended amicably with a strong desire to join Arteta and improve their Premier League performances. Arsenal declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.
The Gunners beat Rapid Vienna 4-1 on Thursday with a completely changed starting lineup and while the team was clearly lifted by the return of 2,000 fans, sources have claimed that the increased energy and drive in their display could also be attributed to a renewed determination arising. of meetings at the beginning of the week.
Arsenal face a major test in Sunday’s clash at Tottenham with their North London rivals at the top of the table. The Gunners have won just one of their last five league games and were beaten 2-1 at home by the Wolves last Sunday.
The players then had Monday off before arriving at the club’s base in London Colney on Tuesday for a regular session and meeting to identify areas for improvement.
Arteta will wait for a reaction from the Spurs, as the defeat would put them 11 points behind José Mourinho.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday afternoon, Arteta said: “I think it’s the perfect game to get up, to regenerate some faith in the league because in the other competitions we have been very good but we need a great result and I can’t think.” . on any better scenario than that: go and beat them and change things dramatically in a game. “
Source: espn.co.uk
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