The huge amount of criticism who is receiving the Arsenal collides head-on with the great season that the pupils of Mikel Arteta: leaders in the Premier -they excel in seven points al Manchester City-, finish first the League Phase of the Championswill be measured at Southampton in quarters of the FA Cup and awaits them City in the final of the League Cup.
His football, however, is not convincing. The controversial 1-1 against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 It was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’. Havertzex del Leverkusen, tied in it 89′ when transforming a ‘phantom penalty’ caused by Madueke.
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal Champions League Final
To the growing reproaches to Arsenal due to its high dependence on strategy plays and the amount of time who loses in resuming the game in every set piece -44 seconds on average according to ‘Opta’ in each corner- has been added John Obi Mikel.
“I watch Arsenal play and, right now, they rely exclusively on corner kicks. You have spent almost a billion, Mikel Arteta, almost a billion. And you’re telling me that the only way to win games is with corner kicks? It’s ridiculous… they win ugly”, assured the ex del Chelsea in ‘CBS Sports’ alluding to the 21 goals that Arsenal has scored from set pieces in the Premier, 35th among all competitions.
Mikel Arteta has spent almost a billion. And you’re telling me that the only way to win games is with corner kicks? It’s ridiculous… they win ugly
“The only reason why Arsenal fans don’t complain about the style of football they play is because they are leaders of the League. It’s illegal… The creativity they have has gone overboard. Players like Saka, like Martinelli, like Eze, Odegaard we no longer see them why They depend solely on corner kicks,” the Nigerian emphasizes.
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“What they do during set pieces, for me, is illegal. It can’t be done. First they hinder the goalkeeper and then they start holding players so they can’t jump. Even if the ball goes in, how is it possible that the VAR and the referee don’t see it? If they don’t do it, all the teams will start doing it,” he continues. Obi Mikel.
Far from holding back, the former Chelsea man went further in his criticism: “For me, that is illegal. “That’s what I mean: Arsenal are trying to win the Premier League by cheating.”
