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Mikel trolls Arsenal over Vinicius signing

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former Chelsea player John Mikel Obi mocked Arsenal for their unsuccessful attempt to sign Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
  • Mikel questioned the logic of Vinicius leaving a club with Real Madrid's stature for Arsenal, suggesting only Arsenal fans believed the transfer was possible.
  • He pointed to Real Madrid's extensive history of success, including 15 Champions League titles, contrasting it with Arsenal's recent trophy record.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has humorously criticized Arsenal's pursuit of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, suggesting the transfer was never realistic. Mikel questioned the rationale behind Vinicius potentially leaving a club of Real Madrid's global standing for Arsenal, implying that such belief was confined to Arsenal supporters.

I just think it was only the Arsenal fans that believed that was going to happen. I don’t know what they were smoking.

— John Mikel ObiExpressing skepticism about Arsenal's chances of signing Vinicius Junior.

"I just think it was only the Arsenal fans that believed that was going to happen. I don’t know what they were smoking," Mikel stated on the Obi One Podcast. He argued that Vinicius had little incentive to depart Madrid, a club boasting 15 Champions League titles and numerous La Liga crowns, and one of the world's most successful football institutions. Vinicius is also a key player for Real Madrid.

This guy has been around Madrid, a team that has won the Champions League 15 times, won La Liga so many times. The most successful football club in the world. One of the best players in the club, one of the marquee names of the football club. He’s going to leave all that and come to Arsenal?

— John Mikel ObiQuestioning the logic of Vinicius Junior leaving Real Madrid for Arsenal.

Mikel contrasted Real Madrid's legacy with Arsenal's, noting the Gunners have won only one Premier League title in a long period and have lacked recent success. "A team that has won one Premier League title for such a long time. A team that hasn’t been successful in recent years. Why will he do that? Why will he do that?" he questioned.

A team that has won one Premier League title for such a long time. A team that hasn’t been successful in recent years. Why will he do that? Why will he do that?

— John Mikel ObiContrasting Arsenal's recent trophy record with Real Madrid's.

Arsenal reportedly made a significant offer for the Brazilian international, and Vinicius was reportedly intrigued. However, Real Madrid ultimately secured his commitment with a new six-year contract, keeping him at the Bernabeu until June 2032. Mikel concluded his remarks with a jab at Arsenal's transfer strategy, mentioning their interest in Morgan Rogers.

They wanted Morgan Rogers.

— John Mikel ObiMaking a final dismissive remark about Arsenal's transfer targets.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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