Mikel Arteta’s ‘Dossier’ on Rival Managers: A Dangerous Conspiracy Strategy for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta’s claim that he is compiling a ‘massive storage of images’ of rival managers leaving their technical areas has been dubbed a ‘dossier’ by the English football world, a term that carries derision. Arteta received his second booking of the season during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton for stepping outside his technical area, and he argues that other managers, including one with a record 36 exits in 10 minutes, go unpunished. This perceived injustice fuels his belief in a conspiracy against Arsenal. While Arteta is not yet in the league of legendary managers like Alex Ferguson or José Mourinho, his conspiracy theories have reached new heights, according to football writer Jonathan Wilson. The strategy of publicly highlighting perceived refereeing bias may rally his squad but risks creating a siege mentality that could backfire, alienating officials and distracting from performance. Wilson suggests that this approach is dangerous for Arsenal, as it shifts focus from their impressive on-pitch displays to off-pitch grievances. The coming weeks will reveal whether Arteta’s dossier strengthens his team’s resolve or undermines their title challenge.