Arsenal pre-match with Fabian Hurzeler

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Our head coach speaks about a variety of topics ahead of today's game.

2024-08-31T06:00+01:00

Fabian Hurzeler loves the different challenges of the Premier League. 📷 Paul Hazlewood

Fabian Hurzeler spoke to the media ahead of today’s game at the Emirates. Here’s a flavour of what he discussed.

How have you found gelling a group of players from so many different countries?

On the one side there are clear values the club has. I can identify with them because I have the same values, and they are important for everyone. On the other side, you can’t treat all the players the same. They come from different cultures and grow up in different environments. You must get to know the person behind the player. You have to treat them individually; you can’t treat them the same.

For example, how you criticise a person. It is very different in the culture of Japan, or in the culture of Gambia. You have to take care of their past, of their education, of the values in their countries. We must treat them individually.

How do you build team spirit in a squad?

When I was a player I hated artificial team building. For example, when you went to a climbing area where you have to ‘save’ each other, and the coach says you have to build trust that way. I was like ‘yeah, okay’ and after an hour I hadn’t built trust yet! For me, the most important thing is making memories together, on and outside the pitch.

Last-minute winners help to make memories, but also wins in general. The experience of being together on the pitch helps. For me the best way of team-building was always when we had a night out. Would I join them? I am the coach, and I don’t need to be part of their evenings! I try to build relationships with my players but in a different way. That is why I say the ‘friendly authority’ because I have to make tough decisions and keep a little bit of distance. It’s a balance you need to have in these relationships.

Where do the team need to improve despite three wins out of three?

I always show them an analysis of the games, because you always get better as a person and a player if you get a reflection of your behaviour on the pitch and beside the pitch. If you always get compliments you will stagnate but if you get like critical feedback you will develop. That’s why we try to give them feedback after every game, sometimes in a group, sometimes the whole team, sometimes individually. It’s very important for the process.

It’s the same for me, I also need to get feedback because I think it’s so important to grow as a person and if you only get compliments you will never develop. That’s why it’s in my DNA that I’m not enthusiastic after wins because I really focus on the process. Of course, there will also be hard moments in this season, but I will act the same. I know that I get judged by results as a coach. That’s part of the business and I must accept it.

A lot of the squad can play in more than one position. How important is that?

It’s important but I also like the players to know their roles and their positions. They have to know the principles of each position so that they get familiar with the spaces that they have, the movements they can make, the connection with their teammates. When you see Arsenal there’s a connection between Ben White and Bukayo Saka, because they played a lot of games together. On one side it’s positive we have this variety, but I prefer also consistency.

How close is Brajan Gruda to be involved in the squad?

Hopefully [we will see him in action] soon. I can’t give you a clear schedule for when he’ll be back. He’s settling in quite good. He’s a very young player. In Germany there is a different culture from here. We try to help him a lot and give him a good rehab. Hopefully he will be on the pitch soon.

What are your impressions of the Premier League?

The games are quite intense. There are some ruthless and tough duels. There are not as many fouls in the game so the referee lets the game go. It’s very different from Germany. The quality is amazing and the ideas from the other coaches are very demanding for me. You always have to find solutions; you always have to adapt. I can learn every game. Even in the League Cup, Crawley has a very interesting style of play. In these games, the team and I can learn and I get to know them better and better. I really like the challenge so far, but let’s keep going, searching for the next challenge.”