Mikel Arteta has unusual new Arsenal rule that is costing players thousands of pounds

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has introduced a new rule demanding players meet at the club's training ground before all home and away matches. And the policy means some Gunners players are now splashing out up to £1,000 a time to book out taxi drivers for a full day on matchdays.

Arteta is attempting to guide Arsenal to the Premier League title for the first time since their Invincibles team lifted the trophy without losing a single game across the 2003/04 campaign. The north London giants have won three of their opening four league games this term but suffered a 1-0 defeat against title rivals Liverpool ahead of the international break. And Arsenal will face another huge test on Sunday when they host Manchester City.

According to The Sun, Arteta has told every player to meet at the club's London Colney training ground, which is located 24 miles from the Emirates Stadium, ahead of matches.

The policy is designed to foster a team spirit that will finally bring the Premier League trophy back to north London.

Most players are now choosing to book cab drivers for a full day so the drivers can pick up their families after the initial training ground drop off and ferry them to the Emirates in time for kick-off.

Those drivers will stay in position during games and then take players and their loved ones back home after the final whistle.

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One cab driver revealed that the rate for a full-day booking ranges from £700 to £1,000.

And one cabbie explained: "I mean for us it leaves us looking forward to every game and hope we get the call because that is essentially more than half what we have to get for the week and it's quite relaxing.

"Also who doesn't want to be involved in football these days, even if you're driving them around."

With Arsenal facing 18 Premier League matches at the Emirates and four home Champions League League Phase clashes before any knockout games or domestic cup action is taken into account, Gunners stars could easily spend more than £25,000 on taxi drivers throughout the season.

And Arteta will be desperate for his new policy to have the desired effect between now and the end of May.

Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Athletic Club on Tuesday evening and will be aiming to win the competition for the first time in their history.

The Gunners are also one of the favourites to win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, with Arteta under increasing pressure to deliver more silverware for the club.