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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
JOE KRISHNAN

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta enlists psychologist to help players adjust in coronavirus lockdown

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club's psychologist is in "constant communication" with the players to help them work through the coronavirus pandemic.

The Premier League season has been indefinitely suspended due to the Covid-19 crisis and players have been forced to train inside, using guidance from club coaches.

There have been concerns that players could experience mental health problems with such a change from their normal schedule.

Arteta says that with the assistance of the club's psychologist, the players are getting all the help they need to stay active and keep busy in uncertain times.

"We have our psychologist who is looking after the players and is always in constant communication with them," he told the club's official website.

"We're also getting feedback from different people and we're constantly sending information and videos and keeping them busy.

"As well as this, we're keeping them close to their job and close to the people that are related to their job, which is us and my coaching staff. But we've been having some really good conversations.

Arteta took the players on a warm-weather training camp to Dubai during the winter break to build his relationship with his squad and he believes the current situation has further strengthened his understanding of his players.

"This time has been really helpful from my side," he added. "At least, to get to know the players better, and we are trying to improve our relationship, our communication and the understanding between us."

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