Mikel Arteta celebrates his first victory as Arsenal boss

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta says players being monitored by psychologist during coronavirus lockdown

By Sporting Life

Football

Sat April 18, 2020 · 6y ago

Mikel Arteta says his Arsenal players are being monitored by a sports psychologist during their time in lockdown during the coronavirus crisis.

Arteta himself tested positive for Covid-19 in what was the catalyst for the Premier League suspending the season - with Arsenal players self-isolating as a result and haven't trained together since.

The Arsenal boss is keen to keep his squad in good spirits though as says they're in constant communication with a psychologist

"We have our psychologist who is looking after the players and is always in constant communication with them," Arteta said.

"But as well we're having feedback from different people and we're constantly sending information and videos and keeping them busy.

"And as well, keeping them close to their job and close to the people that are related to their job, which is us and my coaching staff.

"But we've been having some really good conversations. This time has been really helpful from my side, at least, to get to know the players better, and we are trying to improve our relationship, our communication and the understanding between us."

The uncertain future of the Premier League makes it difficult for clubs to plan, especially in transfer terms as the dates of a new window are still up in the air, but Arteta says his scouts are planning for all scenarios.

Arteta says his scouting department is still in full swing and different scenarios are being planned for.

"We have a lot of meetings to try and plan the season," he added. "We might have one, two, three different scenarios and we have to be prepared for all of them.

"I'm not a person that likes improvising a lot so yeah we have to know the circumstances can change every week and we have to be prepared as a club to react to that and adapt.

"We have some time to review what we have done as well, and the things that we have to improve as a team and as a coaching staff as well, and have a big reflection on all the departments we have across the club.

"How they are feeling as well about what we are doing, how we have set up as a club, if they have any ideas for us to improve, and we are more than welcome to help them on how the workload can be better.

"So then we make sure when we're back, we don't know in which condition, how long we're going to have, we make sure we hit the ground running."

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta says players being monitored by psychologist during coronavirus lockdown

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