‘Innovative’ Arteta plan behind Arsenal dressing room photo with iconic Highbury clock

Mikel Arteta’s ‘innovative wider plan’ is reportedly behind the dressing room photo taken after Arsenal’s win over Fulham on Sunday.

The Gunners brushed Fulham aside at Craven Cottage to restore their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Arteta, his players and staff were photographed in the away dressing room after the game holding a replica of the iconic clock that hangs above the Clock End at the Emirates Stadium.

The clock, which was taken from Highbury when they moved to the Emirates, is part of an ‘innovative wider plan’ to make away dressing rooms feel more like home, according to the Daily Mail.

The whole Arsenal team celebrating with the clock End clock. I love this club 😂❤️ pic.twitter.com/vktvwwt7NS

— Steph (@stephpgold) March 12, 2023

The report reveals that wall stickers of the Arsenal badge and a poster of the official squad photo were also placed on the walls at Craven Cottage, and they will continue to do the same in their remaining away games this season.

Arteta’s side have taken more points away from home than any other side in the league this season, with 11 wins, one draw and two defeats earning them 34 points compared to the 27 won by closest challengers Manchester City.

That marks a significant difference to last season, in which Arsenal had the sixth best away record in the division with 28 points compared to City’s 46.

Arsenal have some tricky away fixtures to come though, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle all to play, as well as West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

January signing Leandro Trossard was crucial to their latest away victory, assisting all three goals against Fulham.

And Arteta singled out Trossard’s contribution after the game.

“He got three assists and could have scored two. I think he was really impressive,” .

“It makes a big difference in the team. We needed him today and his contribution was superb.

“It’s football intelligence. He’s really clever to understand straight away what we want, what’s required. He’s executed it really well.”