After beating Liverpool last weekend, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side will be fully focused in training ahead of a trip to West Ham United.
Last Sunday’s ‘six-pointer’ will mean very little if Arteta’s side aren’t able to follow up that victory with another win today.
West Ham aren’t in their best period of form, they’re even beginning to consider a change in manager.
And to that end, Arsenal need to continue their ruthless away form, displaying much better finishing than in the corresponding home fixture.
David Moyes’ West Ham side frustrated Arsenal over the festive period, taking all three points from the Emirates on a frenetic night.
All that being said, Arteta seems to have deployed a very unusual tactic in Arsenal’s final training sessions ahead of this trip to West Ham.
First spotted in Arsenal’s training photos, journalist Jeorge Bird commented on the situation on X.
In Arsenal’s photos, both Ethan Nwaneri and Jakub Kiwior could be seen wearing the captain’s armband in the sessions, prompting a lot of confusion among fans.
Ethan Nwaneri and Jakub Kiwior wear captain’s armband in Arsenal training before West Ham
Nwaneri can actually be seen chasing his captain, Martin Odegaard, in one photo whilst wearing his armband.
And although baffled himself, Bird did have an explanation for why Arteta could be trying such a move.
Bird said: “Nwaneri and Kiwior pictured wearing captain’s armbands in today’s training session.
“Have never seen this previously but might be a new thing to develop leadership skills.”
And that would seem a logical argument, rather than Arteta deploying any specific match instruction in training for Arsenal’s visit to West Ham.
Nwaneri at 16-years-old, and Kiwior on the periphery of the Arsenal squad, could definitely be two players who need to find a louder voice.
Perhaps the duo have been perceived as introverted personalities, who need to be more vocal.
In truth, it would seem a smart move by Arteta if that was the case.
Whilst a trip to West Ham will need full attention, Arteta has to be mindful of his long-term vision too.
And with the future in mind, it seems one player Arsenal want this summer is now unhappy at this club.