Mikel Arteta has revealed some of the ways he tries to embrace the challenge of unpredictable pre-match routines after Arsenal’s delayed flight to face Napoli in the Champions League this week.Arsenal were due to fly to Naples in the early evening of Tuesday, September 8, but Air Traffic Control issues in the UK resulted in significant delays, which saw them arrive in Italy late that night.Arsenal stayed at their training ground while waiting for the green light to fly from Luton, and had trained earlier in the day, but the delay led to mandatory pre-match media activities (scheduled for 7.30pm local time) being cancelled.Asked about the situation before their 1-0 win, Arteta said in his press conference on Friday: “I love those challenges and I try to create them in pre-season, so when they happen, we’ve already experienced them.”Pushed for examples of how he creates those challenges, he added: “Get to the stadium very late, change the routine. Delay the meals, delay the transport, take different routes. We’ve done many things. Make the dressing rooms hotter, more difficult, less (massage) beds.”Arteta has grown a reputation for creative ways to keep his players on their toes. One such ruse, revealed by The Athletic in August 2024, involved a team of pickpockets being hired to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times.