Mikel Arteta reveals how he's taking inspiration from the rugby world & New Zealand's All Blacks in a bid to give his Arsenal side the edge

New Zealand's All Blacks are currently in London ahead of a clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday. Ahead of the game, the team visited Arsenal's training ground and met captains Martin Odegaard and Kim Little. Arteta and his Arsenal team were away in Preston for a Carabao Cup clash, but the Spaniard has revealed he has still learned plenty from the All Blacks, who are known as one of the most successful sports teams in history.

He told reporters: "I have a good relationship with Razor, their head coach. He’s an inspiration, he’s such a character. It was a shame that the day that we were leaving [to play Preston], they were coming. We tried to set it up at different times. It was difficult to do, but yeah, I know them very well.

“It’s especially about the culture and the importance of clarity, or what it means when you put on a jersey. The sense of belonging to something. When somebody plays with that feeling, I think it elevates his level of commitment, it elevates his capacity to perform and impact the organisation in a different way.”

Arteta may have missed out on the All Blacks' visit but revealed he has still learned much from James Kerr’s book ‘Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us about the Business of Life, adding: “I recommend it to everybody. It talks about them and their culture and their winning mentality and how they approach sport, life, and relationships is really inspiring."

Arteta will be hoping for any edge he can find for his team as he aims to once again challenge for the Premier League title. The Gunners have already slipped five points behind leaders Manchester City and four behind Liverpool at the top of the table. Arteta will therefore know his team have little margin for error now and for the rest of the season if they are to finish the campaign on top of the pile.

Arsenal return to action on Saturday against Newcastle in the Premier League at St James' Park. The Magpies head into the match after a morale-boosting win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and in the knowledge they have won two of their last three Premier League home games against Arsenal.