A double pivot or a single, holding midfielder?
A high line or a low block?
A cashmere sweater or an Italian cardigan?
Mikel Arteta has had many difficult decisions to make during his three-and-a-half-year tenure as Arsenal manager — and that's before he gets to his fashion choices.
At times, the 41-year-old's wardrobe selections have come under just as much scrutiny as his team selections and the Spaniard's affection for Italian clothing has not gone unnoticed.
Speaking to the Telegraph earlier this month, Arteta revealed one of his personal fashion foibles: refusing to change his outfits when Arsenal win, but opting for a new style after a defeat.
But how seriously do athletes and coaches take superstitions?
Sports psychologist and managing partner of Winning Mind, Marc Sagal believes they are very common among high-level sports stars.
He says: “Sometimes certain habits or routines may seem superstitious, but the degree to which a person associates certain behaviours, like not changing clothes, with an outcome, like winning, really varies.
The Arteta Series
“Two players may both want to be the first one off the bus to the match, but one of them may worry much more about the consequences of being second. I can tell you that many people have what seem to be irrational practices and beliefs. People are weird.
“As a player or coach, there are so many things that are out of our control: the referee, the weather, the opponent, and the proverbial bounce of the ball.
“Superstitions often give the illusion of control over performance and while this is in fact an illusion, the feeling of being in control can boost both confidence and composure — two things that matter a lot in football.
“You can also make a good argument that superstitions help with focus by reducing potential worry and distraction. Even a false belief that things will work out can prove meaningful.”
As for how seriously sports people take these superstitions, Keval Patel, a former player and now sports psychologist at Queens Park Rangers, believes it can vary from person to person.
He says: “While some athletes and coaches practise superstitions to feel comfortable prior to a performance, others have these behaviours and thoughts with the belief that this will lead to their desired performance outcomes.
“Superstitions tend to come and go depending on the strength of the belief and the outcomes achieved when practising them.
“For example, I once worked with a high-level footballer who had to listen to a particular song in the dressing room and while warming up before he played in matches. However, on one occasion, the bus arrived late to the ground and he wasn't able to do so but he actually played well and since then he's no longer felt the need to have to listen to the song before matches anymore.
“There is no black-and-white answer on how seriously athletes take superstitions. It's dependent on a number of individual and situational factors.”
Patel, who has previously worked at Stevenage, Fulham, and Watford, also believes it is important to underline the difference between superstitions and routines, especially in Arteta's case.
“While they seem similar in nature, they're actually quite different and this is because a routine is a series of steps designed to enhance performance whilst superstitions are beliefs that certain actions have to be done or there may be performance consequences. Routines are actually very beneficial for performance because they allow the mind and body to feel a sense of familiarity which then aids performance and skill execution.
“Take golfers, for example. Nearly all of them have a pre-shot routine which improves their ability to access muscle memory and perform under pressure. It's the same as penalty takers in football… they will have a specifically measured run-up they use to approach the ball to deliver under immense pressure.
“Players and coaches can gain a lot from routines for the reasons mentioned above, but the key is not to develop too much of a dependence on them.”
So how does this apply to Arteta, a manager that routinely expresses how much he wants his side to be in control?
Sagal, who regularly consults with professional athletes from around the world, believes athletes and coaches are obsessed with the term 'control' and do everything possible to gain it.
He adds: “You'll also frequently hear the phrase 'control the controllables', which is just another way of saying focus on what you can influence the most. In a results-focused world, it's not easy to accept that we can only do so much to influence outcomes. You don't have to look much further to understand why superstitions are so commonplace.
“For what it's worth, I don't encourage superstitious behaviour, but I am a fan of routine and rituals which can help create positive associations, focus, and even the illusion of control.
“So, while I may not want to sit next to Arteta after he's worn the same trousers five weeks in a row, if Arsenal continue winning like they have been, I certainly wouldn't blame him for doing so.”
But what about the outfits themselves? How on-trend is Arteta? We might as well analyse them while we're here, eh?
While I am no fashionista, The Athletic has recruited the help of Sam Shipton, a menswear fashion expert from south east London, and a diehard Arsenal fan.
Take it away, Sam, as we delve into Arteta's wardrobe on some landmark days as Arsenal manager — as well as some of those superstitious outfits donned until the end of a winning run…
Arteta's managerial debut – Bournemouth 1 v 1 Arsenal (December 26, 2019)
Shipton: A practical and functional choice here from Mr Arteta for a wet and chilly December night on the south coast. A new era began for Arsenal and a new managerial wardrobe has been ushered in to discuss. A quilted gilet is worn underneath his light waterproof jacket, keeping Mikel's upper half warm and dry. The trainers could be a nod to his old boss Pep Guardiola, who is seldomly seen without the contrasted black-and-white sneaker.
First defeat – Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (December 29, 2019)
Shipton: Another day in the charcoal pleated trousers and sneakers combo. A gilet is also worn but under a different black jacket. The epaulettes on the shoulder give me a sense of power, almost military-esque. Seems like they did not quite inspire the team enough for a win, though. I like the double zipper detail on the front of the jacket. A completely pointless feature but hey, that's fashion, baby.
First victory – Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United (January 1, 2020)
Shipton: A rare navy combination from Mikel, which makes a change from his usual blacks and charcoals. The light grey turtleneck looks to be in a Merino wool or cashmere, possibly a mix of the two. As uncomfortable as he may look in the photo, I am quite sure he was feeling snug and cosy at the Emirates for the big win.
Community Shield win – Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool (5-4 on penalties, August 29, 2020)
Shipton: Back to black for the gaffer. I am starting to feel like he may have a favourite colour that's not red or white. A nice slim-fit black pair of denim and a light sweater make his trim silhouette stand out at an empty Wembley Stadium.
Arteta's 100th game – Arsenal 2-1 Fulham (August 27, 2022)
Shipton: A century of games managing our historic club and for the special occasion he wears… yes, a black sweater and pleated grey trousers. Consistency is key in management.
Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal (September 4, 2022)
Shipton: The formal shoes look to have a very comfortable rubber sole, keeping a dapper appearance but guaranteeing all-day comfort. It must feel like he is walking bare-footed on the hallowed Old Trafford turf. Make sure not to get carried away and stay in that technical area, boss — Richard Keys is always watching.
PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Arsenal (October 27, 2022)
Shipton: The outfit on the evening may look very similar (black sweater, grey pleated trousers) to the United game to the average viewer, but if you look very closely what appears to be black sweater is actually a zipped black sweater. Very nice.
Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City (February 15, 2023)
Shipton: Another favourite of his, the quilted coat does look very warm and comfortable inside there. The rubber-soled formal shoes are now getting preferred to the Pep trainers at this point in the season. I once had a very similar pair which were purchased from Clarks but I assume Mikel's pair are not from there! Probably Italian. Or Spanish. Or Catalonian.
This is part of a series on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The rest of the articles can be read here.