Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has harshly criticised Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title in 2025–26, calling the Gunners’ heavy reliance on set-pieces “cheating” and “illegal.” The ex-captain of the Super Eagles spoke after Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1 at the Emirates Stadium on March 1. Both of the Gunners’ goals came from corners, one by William Saliba and the other by Jurrien Timber.
Arsenal has now scored 16 Premier League goals from corners this season, tying the record for the most goals scored in a single season. They are currently at the top of the table with 67 points from 30 matches, seven points ahead of Manchester City. The former midfielder was very harsh in his criticism of Mikel Arteta’s methods, especially considering the creative talent the Spaniard has at his disposal:
“When I watch Arsenal play right now, they depend solely on corner kicks. You have spent almost a billion, Mikel Arteta — almost a billion! And you’re telling me the only way to win games is through corner kick? It’s ridiculous.”
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner went even further, questioning the way Arsenal play physically during set-pieces, like when Declan Rice and Joao Pedro wrestled in the box. He named players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard as examples of players whose creativity has been stifled by Arteta’s system.
“They’ve cheated their way to win in the Premier League. So I wouldn’t recognise them as winners because, for me, it’s illegal the way they’re winning games. The creativity that they have — the potentials — has gone out the window. We don’t see them anymore.”
Arsenal’s set-piece goals make up 35% of their total Premier League goals this season, which is the highest percentage for any team that could win the title in the history of the competition. Arsenal will play Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend. After that, they will return to league play, with a trip to Manchester City on April 18 that could be a title decider.
Chelsea’s Premier League Season So Far
Chelsea are currently in fifth place in the Premier League with 48 points from 29 games. This season has been a big change for the team as head coach Liam Rosenior took over for Enzo Maresca on January 6, 2026, after the Italian left on New Year’s Day.
The Blues have shown some promise under Rosenior, but they haven’t been able to sustain it. So far this season, they’ve won 13 games, drawn nine, and lost seven. Chelsea made it through the Champions League group stage, and they are prepared to face Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
Notably, Arsenal ended their hopes of winning the Carabao Cup after losing 4–2 on aggregate to the Blues in the semi-finals. Chelsea also lost 2–1 to Arsenal at the Emirates on March 1, their third straight loss to the Gunners under Rosenior’s watch.