Ex-Nigeria international and Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel has issued a scathing assessment of the Arsenal squad following their underwhelming performance against Bournemouth this past weekend. The former midfielder contended that the Gunners’ key personnel lacked the composure and courage required at the Emirates Stadium, suggesting that the players were actively avoiding possession as the match progressed.
The league leaders were stunned at home by goals from Alex Scott and Eli Junior Kroupi, a result that has significantly shifted the momentum of the title race. During a recent episode of the Obi One podcast, Mikel pointed out the contrast between the commitment of the supporters and the perceived lack of accountability on the pitch.
“He (Arteta) talked about the fans, bring your dinner, bring your lunch and bring everything and come to the game, the fans did,” Obi Mikel noted. “But you know who fail to show up the fking Arsenal players.”**
The former Super Eagles captain further observed that as the tactical situation became more dire, the squad’s confidence appeared to evaporate. He suggested that the high-stakes environment led to a visible reluctance among the players to influence the flow of the game.
“Everything seems to be going wrong. The players started hiding from the ball because the pressure was there,” he asserted.
This criticism arrives at a pivotal moment for Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal must now regroup rapidly for a high-intensity schedule, beginning with the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting CP this Wednesday, followed by a monumental Premier League showdown with Manchester City over the weekend.
