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HIGH STEAKS
Mock Mikel Arteta all you want, but his Salt Bae experience could prove to be the turning point in Arsenal’s season
Some of Arsenal's injured stars have returned to training at the club's warm-weather camp in Dubai
THE last person you want to be seen with when you’re under the microscope is Salt Bae.
The Turkish butcher – born Nusret Gokce – has a habit of luring the high and mighty of the celebrity world to his gold-covered steak restaurants.
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The likes of David Beckham, Lionel Messi and even Pep Guardiola have been snapped alongside the fame-hungry, salt-sprinkling entrepreneur in the past.
And last week, it was Mikel Arteta’s turn. While out in Dubai for a warm-weather winter training camp, the Spaniard paid a visit to one of Salt Bae’s celebrity venues.
To the horror and amusement of fans on social media, Arteta had a piece of steak placed in his mouth by the tanned Turk, the former grinning profusely throughout.
The pessimist will suggest this was a bad PR move – a clip that will be cut, flipped, reshot and reused to mock the Gunners boss again and again after any more mishaps.
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Mock all you like, but Arteta and his players could be the last ones laughing.
This week-long break – having flown out on January 9 and returning tomorrow – may well see the North London club come out of this month as one of the most refreshed and revitalised sides in the Premier League.
While Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham have all slogged it out in mid-week league games, Arsenal have been soaking up the sun in the Middle East.
By the time their Prem match against Crystal Palace on Saturday comes around, it will have been 13 days since their last game – an FA Cup third round defeat to Liverpool.
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It will also have been 20 days since their last league match – the 2-1 loss away at Fulham on New Year’s Eve.
This break could not have come at a better time, with one win in seven in all competitions.
Those dropped points and cup exit will be firmly at the backs of Arteta and the squad’s minds now ahead of a much-needed title race resurgence.
Over the past few months, Arteta has looked a nervous wreck on the sidelines – even more than usual – fresh off the back of his FA “desgracia” charge escape.
But alongside Salt Bae, and in training sessions in Dubai, he has had the look of a man free of worry, away from the UK spotlight. A mental rest from the stress and constant pressure top flight management brings.
The same must be said for the players too – good friends Gabriel Martinelli and Fabio Vieira have struggled with poor form and injury woes respectively, but briefly put that aside by driving buggies across the desert with their partners.
Bukayo Saka, who has nursed an Achilles problem for much of the season and been kicked pillar to post by most oppositions, was snapped with a beaming smile while relaxing on a yacht.
And in the training sessions, where the players have been worked hard in the hot temperatures, there have been clips that have brought hope and promise.
Gabriel Jesus missed the cup clash with Liverpool due to a minor knee knock, but the misfiring Brazilian forward has looked lively and efficient in shooting drills.
Even summer signing Jurrien Timber – out since August with following ACL surgery – has made great progress, training with the ball at his feet and slowly being integrated back into squad sessions.
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Lose to Palace this weekend, and it is back to square one. The Arteta steak memes will be out in a flash and the heat will well and truly be back on.
However, beat Roy Hodgson’s Eagles – and beat them well – and this Dubai trip may well turn out to be the turning point in Arsenal’s season.
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