After the draw in Kiev and before the game against Bolton at the Reebok, Arsenal players were reportedly given the memo below. It is said to have been written in conjunction with a sports psychologist and is geared specifically towards teams who are in the midst of tricky away fixtures.
So far I have no way of confirming whether this is a genuine memo, although it certainly sounds like the product of an Arsene Wenger managed side.
The confidential nature of this memo—if it is real—makes the leaking of it quite a shock, but it is an interesting insight into the psychology of Arsene Wenger and the group ethos of the Arsenal.
CONFIDENTIAL
Team meeting 19th September 2008-09-22:
- B/R Ticket Guide
The team:
* A team is as strong as the relationships within it. The driving force of a team is its member's ability to create and maintain excellent relationships within the team that can add an extra dimension and robustness to the team dynamic.
* This attitude can be used by our team to focus on the gratitude and the vitally important benefits that the team brings to our own lives. It can be used to strengthen and deepen the relationships with it and maximise the opportunities that await a strong and united team.
Our team becomes stronger by:
* Displaying a positive attitude on and off the pitch
* Everyone making the right decisions for the team
* Have an unshakeable belief that we can achieve our target
* Believe in the strength of the team
* Always want more - always give more
* Focus on our communication
* Be demanding with yourself
* Be fresh and well prepared to win
* Focus on being mentally stronger and always keep going until the end
* When we play away from home, believe in our identity and play the football we love to play at home
* Stick together
* Stay grounded and humble as a player and a person
* Show the desire to win in all that you do
* Enjoy and contribute to all that is special about being in a team - don't take it for granted
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2 months ago
Nice article. This explains why Theo is such a sweetheart to the press and his England teammates when he has just had the best game of his life.
It's a good memorandum, it can be implemented in everyday life.
2 months ago
"Have an unshakeable belief that we can achieve our target"
If Arsene Wenger doesn't have an unshakeable belief then I don't know who has!
2 months ago
I saw this on the news earlier. All footballers should follow it, but when you think about it it's just common sense really.
from 2 months ago
It is at that.
2 months ago
Interesting.. I read it already.. it was in a lot of papers..
from 2 months ago
I just caught wind of it over here in Canada. Bummer. Here I thought I had a genuine scoop.
2 months ago
Heh! yeah Brad, i got a glimpse of it too a little earlier in one of the papers.
Safe to say you are not prone to excessive F5ing on newsnow or goonernews! Good on ya mate!
Keep the Arseing going!
Cheers!
2 months ago
I haven't read this anywhere. sO for me it's pretty big,especially if its genuine. Interesting stuff. Where did you get this from, Brad?:)
It makes me wonder whether they issue such memos on a regular basis. What do you think?
2 months ago
"Always want more - always give more"
I love this one! Applies not only to football but many facets of life.
2 months ago
"When we play away from home, believe in our identity and play the football we love to play at home"
The best of the lot in my opinion, and definitely applies to Arsenal Football Club.
2 months ago
I read that Arsene is pretty upset about the lack of respect of privacy from the hotel (which apparently is a 5 star hotel) which he left the note in, and I agree with him. Although it is probably just the lack of inegrity of one person, its still upsetting that something with 'confidential' at the top cannot be respected.
2 months ago
common sense.
about 1 month ago
Yesterday morning I heard this on NPR (National Public Radio) as i live in the states, they pulled it from the BBC and it made my morning!
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