Why Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly set a team of professional pickpockets on his unknowing Arsenal stars has now been revealed.
The Spanish tactician secretly hired the group to strike at a team dinner, where they were instructed to take the wallets and phones belonging to as many first-team stars as they could, according to The Athletic.
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After the hired thieves had done their job, Arteta asked the players to stand up and check their pockets, which is when they realised that they were missing valuable items.
It has been explained that the purpose behind the exercise was to teach the squad the importance of not letting their guard down and always staying alert, ready and prepared.
This has been described as just one example of the former Manchester City assistant coach's innovative thinking that has helped him take the Gunners to a place where they are considered regular title challengers.
Despite finishing second, behind the Citizens, consecutively for the past two seasons, this represents a significant improvement from when Arteta was first appointed to the role in December 2019.
In his first and second season in charge of the side, the Gunners finished eighth, but with evidence of a budding philosophy and an on-field identity, those in charge chose to keep faith in the young manager.
The following season, the team ended in fifth position, and by the end of the 2022/23 campaign, Arteta led the side to their first second-place finish since last doing so under Arsene Wenger in 2016.
The Spaniard has been credited for his leadership and his role in helping transform the London club into what they are now, and could do so for a considerable time to come as he is expected to extend his contract beyond the coming season.
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The manager is preparing to take charge of his fifth full season at the club, and will be eying up the opportunity to take the team from competing for the Premier League title to winning it.