Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has taken a swipe at Arsenal supporters following the club’s failed attempt to sign Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior during the summer transfer window.
Vinicius was reportedly a surprise target for Arsenal, with the Gunners said to be willing to make the Brazilian international the highest-paid player in Premier League history. However, the 26-year-old ultimately decided to remain at Real Madrid after signing a new contract with the Spanish giants.
Discussing the situation on the latest episode of The Obi One Podcast, Mikel questioned why Arsenal fans expected Vinicius to leave Real Madrid, highlighting the difference in the clubs’ recent trophy records.
According to the former Nigeria international, Arsenal’s limited success in recent years made it unlikely that Vinicius would trade Real Madrid’s winning environment for a move to North London.
“I don’t know what the Arsenal fans were expecting,” Mikel said.
“You win the league after 22 years and then all of a sudden think that is it, you have arrived and you are one of the big boys again. No, you are not.
“They have just been humbled because I said it: there is no way Vinicius Junior is leaving Real Madrid to go to Arsenal, a club that has won one title in 22 years.
“This guy wins titles. He’s won lots of titles at Real Madrid. He wants to win titles season after season, the Champions League, La Liga, competing year after year and winning those titles.
“He’s tasted what it feels like to win the Champions League. Arsenal have never won the Champions League. Zero,” he added.
