Mikel Obi Accuses Arsenal of “Cheating” With “Illegal” Set-Piece Tactics

Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has launched a fierce critique of Arsenal, claiming the Premier League leaders are using “illegal” methods to secure their first title in over two decades.

Speaking in a recent punditry session, Mikel argued that Mikel Arteta’s side has abandoned creative football in favor of “ugly” wins driven almost entirely by set-pieces.

Mikel expressed disbelief that a squad assembled for nearly a billion pounds has become so dependent on corners, noting that 21 of their league goals this season have come from dead-ball situations.

He specifically targeted the physical behavior of players like Gabriel, William Saliba, and Declan Rice in the box, accusing them of “manhandling” and “impeding” opponents.

According to Mikel, these tactics—which he claims include holding defenders and blocking goalkeepers—constitute a form of “cheating” that the VAR and PGMOL have failed to penalize.

The former Nigerian captain suggested that Arsenal’s desperation to end their 22-year title drought has led them to sacrifice the flair usually associated with players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard for a rigid, “horrible” style of play.

While acknowledging that Arsenal currently holds a seven-point lead over Manchester City, Mikel insisted that fans are only silent about the unappealing football because the team is winning.

He called on officiating bodies to intervene before other clubs begin mimicking what he describes as “illegal” play.