Arsenal are working with the man credited with turning the All Blacks into Rugby World Cup winners as they attempt to give their players a psychological edge.

Dr Ceri Evans is being used by manager Arsène Wenger this season because he has identified mental weaknesses in the past in his players when it comes to performing well over the course of a campaign.

Arsenal have in the past been accused of falling short – failing to win the Premier League or Champions League and losing key matches under pressure – and there has already been a discernible difference in their mental toughness: they recently went on a 19-match unbeaten run.

An Arsenal spokesman confirmed that the club was using Evans: . “We are always looking for new ways to progress and continue competing at the top of the game,” he said. “This involves every aspect of the way we work with our players and this is part of that continuous improvement. We will not discuss any detail of this work.”