Arteta reveals his secret plan to beat Liverpool to the Premier League title

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has unveiled his plan to give the Gunners an edge in the Premier League title race, with a warm-weather training camp in Dubai set to play a key role in their pursuit of glory. With the team facing an intense run of fixtures to start 2025, Arteta sees the upcoming nine-day break after their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United as the perfect opportunity to reset and refocus.

Speaking to Arsenal Media ahead of their match against Newcastle, Arteta explained why he believes this trip will help his squad find another gear in the crucial months ahead. “There are a lot of things that will be similar,” Arteta said. “The location, where we train, but of course we will have to modify it. We are going at a different moment of the season, different numbers, probably the team needs a different stimulus, so we are preparing a few things and hopefully it will work like it has the last few times.”

Arteta’s decision is based on the success of last year’s Dubai trip. In early 2024, Arsenal were struggling with form, having won just one of their previous seven matches while scoring only five goals. The trip to the United Arab Emirates proved to be a turning point, as the team returned revitalized, embarking on an eight-game Premier League winning streak. During that dominant run, the Gunners scored an astonishing 33 goals while conceding just four, cementing themselves as serious title contenders.

The similarities between last season and this campaign are striking. Arsenal are once again in the thick of a title race, sitting second in the table behind Liverpool. With injuries testing their squad depth and a relentless fixture schedule piling up, Arteta knows the importance of keeping his squad fresh, both mentally and physically. The warm-weather training camp will provide a chance to fine-tune tactical plans, build team cohesion, and recharge before the final stretch of the season.

One key benefit of the Dubai trip is the opportunity for injured players to recover in optimal conditions. The break could allow crucial squad members like Ben White and Bukayo Saka  to regain full fitness, providing Arteta with more options for the crucial run-in. Additionally, the controlled training environment will allow the coaching staff to work on specific tactical adjustments needed for the upcoming fixtures.

After their training camp, Arsenal will return to action on February 15 with an away fixture against Leicester City in the Premier League. With Liverpool setting the pace at the top, every game from now until May will be vital. Arteta’s hope is that this trip will once again spark a surge in form, just as it did last year.

With Arsenal chasing their first league title in 20 years, every small advantage matters. If history repeats itself, Arteta’s decision to take his squad to Dubai could prove to be a masterstroke in their pursuit of Premier League glory.