Crystal Palace mocked Mikel Arteta’s tactics at half-time in their Premier League clash with Arsenal by playing ‘You’ll never walk alone’ in a youth penalty shoot-out.
As Arsenal’s documentary All or Nothing was released on Amazon, a clip of Arteta preparing for a top-flight game against Liverpool went viral.
The Spaniard played the Reds anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ to his players during training, aiming to prepare them for the atmosphere at Anfield.
Many were quick to ridicule Arteta as the Gunners lost the game 4-0, while others thought he was a good example of innovative coaching.
The Eagles stadium announcer certainly saw the fun side as Palace and Arsenal battled it out in the opener of the 2022/23 campaign.
Arteta’s side took a one-goal lead before the break, but the DJ used half-time activity to perhaps gain a psychological advantage.
“At half-time the kids from both clubs were taking penalties to our left,” talkSPORT’s Sam Matterface said in a commentary.
“When the Arsenal kid came forward to take a penalty, the PA announcer stopped and said, ‘Wait – let’s play something to help you deal with the pressure.
“At that time, the AP played ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’ A little nod to Arteta’s tactics during the documentary All Or Nothing.
Earlier this week, Arsenal legend Ray Parlor was unable to defend Arteta for the tactic.
“It’s hilarious, isn’t it, really,” Parlor told talkSPORT Breakfast.
“I’m amazed he did that, if I’m being honest. If that was me on the training ground, I would have started laughing. We would have laughed.
“You go with it, that’s the point of the program, it goes behind the scenes and it’s great for the fans, but it was weird.
“And it didn’t work out, that’s true – they lost 4-0!
“If Arsene Wenger did that during our training, I don’t know what the reaction would be. Everyone would laugh.
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