Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Monday, April 13, 2026, 4:40 p.m. / Updated Monday, April 13, 2026, 4:45 p.m.
Former England striker Gary Lineker (65) has slammed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's training methods as “embarrassing”. The attack of the former BBC analyst came after the failure with Bournemouth (1-2), which increased the pressure put by Manchester City on the leader of the Premier League.
The Gunners reduced their lead at the top of the Premier League over rivals Manchester City to six points. However, the “Citizens” have a backlog and on Sunday they will receive the visit of Arsenal at the “Etihad”, with the possibility of equalizing Mikel Arteta's team on points.
Gary Lineker: “Arsenal are fighting themselves now. If you're in the title race, you just have to keep calm!”
Fears that the Londoners could miss out on a first Premier League title after a 22-year hiatus have taken shape, as has speculation of a fourth successive defeat under the Spanish manager.
Phase from one of Mikel Arteta's original Arsenal training drills
Gary Lineker believes the north London side's decline is partly down to Arteta's unique coaching philosophy. The legendary English striker is convinced that the contenders for the Premier League crown should always find a way to keep their cool before an important game and stick to the basic plan.
The former BBC Match of the Day presenter believes the Gunners are drawing unwanted attention to themselves. “Arsenal are fighting themselves. Arteta's tendency is towards embarrassing training methods, I dare say.
Obviously, I mean the pens. They all carry pens between their fingers and then watch TikTok videos on big screens in training. And I think «Do things differently. Don't do things differently”. If you're in contention for the title, just keep calm!” Lineker said on his “Rest is Football” podcast.
“If you draw attention to yourself and then you don't win the matches, then it can become an even bigger problem”
The former England international (80 caps, 48 goals) continued the criticism: “Training is a normal thing, but all of a sudden you do things a bit differently. You draw attention to yourself and show the world that the pressure is affecting you.
Gary Lineker / Photo: Getty Images
If you're going to try something different, do it within the team. Be discreet. Make sure no one is filming. That's my honest advice. And it's probably difficult, because I suppose if he won, nobody would say anything about all this stuff.
But the problem is, if you draw attention to yourself and then you don't win, then it can become an even bigger problem.”
Arteta used a light bulb as part of a team talk and had thieves rob the players during a training session!
Arteta made a splash with his unique training methods that set him apart from the competition. The manager had his players work in groups and balance the ball between their heads while holding pens between their fingers and moving the ball together.
Mikel Arteta's players watch TikTok AI clips at Arsenal training
Arteta's students trained by watching videos created with AI on TikTok on the big screens at London Colney. once upon a time Arsenal's manager used a light bulb as part of a team talk and had pickpockets steal players' personal items during a training session!
How did Arteta shock? He had 'You'll Never Walk Alone' blaring from the speakers outside the training ground before the trip to Liverpool. Or have players squeeze together several lemons and assemble giant dominoes.
