‘They’ve Got To Win It’ – Mikel Obi Speaks On Arsenal Winning Premier League, UCL With Arteta
While acknowledging Mikel Arteta’s impact at Arsenal, former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has expressed doubts about whether the Spaniard is the right man to guide the club to major success.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, uploaded to YouTube on Monday, Mikel praised Arsenal’s progress under Arteta but insisted that the club must shift its focus from merely competing to actually winning significant trophies.
Despite Arteta’s improvements in squad quality and playing style, Mikel questioned whether Arsenal can win the Premier League or Champions League under his leadership.
“Has he done well for Arsenal? Yes. Has he improved Arsenal? Absolutely. Mikel Arteta has taken Arsenal to a much better level than when he took over,” Mikel said.
“He’s massively improved the squad, the way they play, and the way the fans want to see Arsenal perform. There’s no doubt about that.”
However, he emphasized that Arsenal’s ambitions should extend beyond just competing at the top level.
“Is he the guy to take Arsenal to the next level—winning the Premier League or the Champions League? I don’t see that. Because it’s not about competing.
“People always talk about competing, but no—Arsenal should be talking about winning, not just competing.
“When was the last time Arsenal won the league? The Invincibles in 2004? That’s 20 years now. Arsenal fans need to stop talking about competing and start demanding titles. They have to win it.”
Mikel’s comments add to the ongoing debate over Arsenal’s ability to secure major silverware under Arteta, despite the club’s evident progress in recent seasons.
