Arteta says he “demolished the office” on his first day at Arsenal

“On my first day as Arsenal manager, I demolished the office,” Mikel Arteta recalled. He said he threw everything onto the floor — computers, laptops and cables — before gathering the people there. He then gave them two minutes to put everything back in order and get ready to work together, offering to help them enjoy their profession, their lives and the passion they shared.

Arteta also acknowledged that the incident could have ended his coaching career: “If it had stayed like that, I wouldn’t have had a job.”

He arrived at Arsenal in late 2019 as a newcomer to the head-coach role, having begun his coaching career as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City. His arrival at the Emirates Stadium prompted doubts, but he quickly won over the supporters.

A few days before these remarks, Arsenal had announced that his contract was extended until 2030. His deal had been due to expire in June 2027, despite difficulties towards the end of the previous season. The anecdote offers a glimpse of the approach Arteta says he wanted to establish from his first moments at the club: a striking break with the norm, followed by an immediate call for collective effort.