The term ‘mentality monsters’ has surged in popularity within the sports realm in recent years.
Commonly, it refers to the ability to exhibit resilience and excel under pressure, consistently finding ways to achieve victory.
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Interest in this phrase rose again last week when Arsenal‘s England winger Bukayo Saka‘s fiancée shared a post on Instagram captioned ‘mentality monsters’ featuring Manchester City midfielder Rodri, after their draw against Bournemouth, which ultimately secured the Premier League title for Arsenal.
Many speculate that the post could have been a nod to a comment made by Rodri in 2024, where he claimed Arsenal’s approach to drawing the match at Etihad was why they relinquished the title.
He stated to Optus Sport: “When they faced us at the Etihad, I witnessed a team that was content with a draw rather than aiming for victory.”
Previously, rival fans and the media have labeled Mikel Arteta’s squad as ‘always the bridesmaid and never the bride’ due to three failed title pursuits that ended in consecutive second-place finishes.
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The team’s mental fortitude, determination, and ‘bottle’ have frequently come under scrutiny.
One Manchester City supporter went viral celebrating a victory with an Arsenal-branded water bottle, a cheeky reference to Arteta’s side ‘bottling’ their title chances.
However, it appears Arsenal has overcome that mental hurdle this season, successfully ending a 22-year drought for the Premier League title.
Arsenal displayed remarkable mental strength to clinch the Premier League title with a game to spare [Getty Images]
Expert Insights
A 2017 study commissioned by UK Sport investigated the distinctions between elite and ‘super-elite’ athletes.
The findings indicated: “High-performing athletes often possess a more intense drive to succeed, driven by compulsive striving and a winning identity. Their motivation is likely to be more emotionally charged than that of other athletes and non-athletes.”
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The concept of ‘compulsive striving’ aligns closely with the idea of ‘mentality monsters.’
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is often credited with popularizing the term, regularly applying it to describe his players during his tenure.
“It’s incredibly challenging, and to endure it, you require more than a standard mentality. As humans, we all have the natural tendency to tire and falter,” he remarked to BBC Sport about Liverpool in 2024.
“We can’t afford to adopt an attitude of despair when faced with difficulties. The persistence to show up and battle through challenging situations is something I don’t take for granted. It’s what makes these boys mentality monsters.”
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Earlier this year, former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole shared his views on the Gunners with Sky Sports, stating: “They appear robust and solid. They resemble mentality monsters. They’re determined not to give anything away. After 20 years, they deserve to win it.”
However, Dr. Nikki Crawley, a sports psychologist at Changing Minds UK, refrains from using the term personally.
“It’s challenging to define, but resilience immediately springs to mind, emphasizing how someone displays resilience in moments,” she noted.
“We must also consider the specific environment and the role they are tasked with since resilience is a dynamic construct, not merely a fixed trait.”
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Changing Minds UK offers services focused on the psychological factors that influence an athlete’s performance, whether over extended periods or single events. Their clients range from developing athletes in academies to established elite competitors.
Psychologist Alex Feary commented that their goal is to aid athletes in “performing under pressure during crucial moments.” He explained, “One critical characteristic we emphasize is self-regulation, which involves managing emotions and behaviors effectively, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.”
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“We help them understand their baseline arousal levels in performance conditions and how they can adjust that to optimize their performance.”
Relevance to Arsenal
This season, there were pivotal moments when Arsenal’s failure to secure what were perceived as ‘easy’ points against teams like bottom-placed Wolves led to criticism of their mental fortitude.
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This intensified pressure on the squad as they risked losing the league title to a pursuing Manchester City toward the season’s conclusion, raising doubts about Arsenal’s mental readiness to end a 22-year championship drought.
“Considering 22 years of history, the burden it places on them generates significant pressure and doubt, often surfacing challenging thoughts and feelings,” Dr. Crawley stated.
“Our approach wouldn’t be to eliminate doubt but rather to assist players and staff in gaining confidence in how they manage it. This is a personal journey for each individual.”
“Referring to someone as a ‘mentality monster’ may suggest they are emotionless machines without struggles or worries.”
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She further added: “In pivotal moments, such as what Arsenal has recently experienced, it’s expected for there to be significant doubt and worry. The key lies in having the awareness to understand what they need to perform effectively despite those feelings.”
Similarly, north London rival Tottenham Hotspur faced similar pressures, ultimately managing to avoid relegation on the season’s final day.
Spurs, finishing 17th in the Premier League, recently sought a sports psychologist via LinkedIn, illustrating that top-tier clubs are increasingly focusing on equipping their players with the mental edge necessary for success as well as survival.
This article is part of BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team.
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