Mikel Arteta dismisses new Chelsea tactic as 'very common' before Arsenal clash
Chelsea are trying everything they possibly can to beat Arsenal.
The Blues have gone over five years without getting a single win over the reigning Premier League champions.
Xabi Alonso will be keen to bring an end to that run on Sunday, and many fans and people in the media believe he has turned to a new training tactic to achieve that.
However, Mikel Arteta thinks it’s nothing new.
Mikel Arteta reacts to Chelsea’s training tactic
Arsenal boss Arteta is not just a world-class manager; he is also an incredible coach.
The Spaniard learnt his trade under Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, and he knows almost every single trick there is in the book.
On Friday, videos emerged of Chelsea players using rugby pads to barge into during training, seemingly to get ready for duels.
One reporter asked Arteta about the training tactic and suggested it was because Arsenal are such a physical side.
🗣️ Mikel Arteta on Chelsea using 'rugby pads' in training:
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) September 4, 2026
"That's something that a lot of clubs use; we use those pads as well. Everybody uses those pads in circuits. I think that's something very, very common." pic.twitter.com/w5YBGNefzt
The Gunners boss laughed before brushing it off as ‘very, very common’, so much so that those pads are there at the Sobha Realty Training Centre as well.
He said in his press conference: “That’s something that a lot of clubs use; we use those pads as well. Everybody uses those pads in circuits.
“I think that’s something very, very common.”
READ MORE: John Terry says two Arsenal stars could get exposed vs Chelsea
Rugby pads will not help Chelsea against Arsenal
Chelsea will have to get a lot right to beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Blues’ problem against the Gunners in recent years has never really been physicality or their duel success rate. They just have been second best in almost every department.
Alonso seems to have fixed Chelsea’s attack, but their defence is still shockingly bad. They have conceded five goals in two games compared to Arsenal’s zero.
That is what the Blues need to focus on ahead of the game on Sunday, a lot more than rugby pads.
