Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel has slammed Arsenal for their overall performance this season, despite their 2-1 win against Chelsea in a Premier League match on Sunday evening.
Mikel said that despite the players in Mikel Arteta’s disposal, the Gunners are overly dependent on set pieces for goals.
The Chelsea legend conveyed his disappointment with the level of football displayed, questioning Arsenal’s creativity and accusing manager Mikel Arteta of being overly reliant on set-pieces.
During his discussion on the Obi One Podcast, Mikel remarked that the match did not meet the expectations usually associated with significant London derbies.
“When you enter derbies, these are matches I used to eagerly anticipate playing in because they are filled with excitement and joy,” Mikel stated.
“When I observe these local derbies now, rivalry matches that should yield much, there ought to be a significant display of creativity and potential.
“That is the complete experience we used to relish. However, watching the game the other day was challenging. It was painful for me to witness,” he said.
Although Arsenal secured all three points, Mikel maintained that the performance was devoid of flair and attacking creativity.
“There wasn’t much happening because one would expect to see significantly more action from the teams.
“Yes, they won the match, but Arsenal were difficult to watch; there was a lack of creativity within the team. There was no excitement, nothing at all,” he lamented.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champion further scrutinized the Gunners’ attacking strategy, highlighting what he perceived as an excessive reliance on set-pieces for scoring.
“You have all these creative players that you have in the team – that you brought to the club.
“You invested a substantial amount of money to bring these players into the club, yet you still cannot find a way to win matches without set-pieces.
“They have relied entirely on set-pieces and corner kicks to secure victories. They have netted sixteen goals from corner kicks this season. I do not foresee Arsenal winning matches without corner kicks,” he added.
Mikel’s remarks come as Arsenal strives to maintain momentum in the title race, with Arteta’s team continuing to secure results.
