ARSENAL appeared to be the victims of mind games before their Carabao Cup clash at Port Vale.
The Gunners' starting XI were going through some drills on the edge of the box, which ended in players having a shot.
But a few Port Vale groundsmen decided it was the time to plug the grass just outside the box where Arsenal's drill was taking place, resulting in Ben White's shot clipping one of the staff members' legs.
Bukayo Saka could then be seen having a word with one of the groundsmen and shrugging his shoulders.
The Gunners didn't allow the disruption to throw them off their game early doors against their League One hosts.
Mikel Arteta's side grabbed an eighth-minute lead via Eberechi Eze.
Leandro Trossard then sealed a 2-0 victory late on.
The Spaniard, 43, rotated his team for the contest, but did start talisman Saka.
New goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, meanwhile, was handed his first start between the sticks.
On his rotated side, Arteta said ahead of the game: "Yes, it's a lot of players who are going to take part in that, and they fully deserve the minutes.
"Kepa, for sure, is one of them. He's been with us, his attitude, the way he supports us in every aspect of his role, in the best possible manner.
"All this as well, they deserve more minutes than what they're getting."
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