Arsenal's dressing room punishments 'are decided by a wheel of fortune'

Mikel Arteta is determined to make his mark as Arsenal manager on and off the pitch and his desire for discipline has seen a unique way of settling player fines.

Arteta came in to replace Unai Emery earlier this season and the former Gunners midfielder is demanding excellence from his squad in a bid to propel them back into Champions League contention.

Ill-discipline is not tolerated and the Athletic report that Arteta has brought in a 'wheel of fortune' to determine the fines for players if they breach his rules.

The Wheel of Fortune was a popular British television show that first aired in the late 1980s. As the quizzes and puzzles go on, players spin the wheel to try and win various prizes throughout the show.

In Arsenal's case, it is punishments, rather than prizes.

Fine systems are common throughout clubs at all levels and can be for small breaches such as poor time-keeping or major breaches for red cards or clashing with team-mates during training, for example.

Under Arteta's new system, for a minor indiscretion, such as being late for one of his team meetings, players are required to spin the wheel.

While the entire contents of the wheel is not known, the report revealed that the punishments available range from a small fine or cleaning the dressing room for the rest of the players.

If luck is not in favour of the spinner, one also sees the requirement to clean the captain's car and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal's captain, has a number of flashy sports cars in his personal collection.

While the wheel is largely not to be enjoyed, the game element could tap into the players' competitiveness.

There is one option on the board which sees them avoid any sort of punishment - a 'Lucky Escape' portion.

It is likely that any player who is fortunate enough to spin and land on the 'Lucky Escape' can share a laugh and a joke with team-mates as Arteta, while enforcing discipline, builds camaraderie in the group.

Arsenal's squad have appeared rejuvenated since Emery was relieved of his duties and Arteta was appointed as his successor but the focus now will turn to results on the pitch, as well as off it.

The Premier League's blockbuster opening night since the hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic 100 days ago sees Arteta's side travel to face Manchester City.

Arsenal are currently ninth, eight points adrift of Chelsea in fourth with just nine games remaining of the 2019-20 campaign.

While Chelsea, fourth, and Manchester United, fifth, are better placed to fight it out for a Champions League place, a victory immediately on the restart can act as a springboard for Arteta and his players to trouble the top order between now and the end of the season.