Mikel trolls Arsenal over Vinicius signing

Super Eagles and Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi has mocked Arsenal over their failed attempt to sign Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior this summer.

Mikel questioned why Vinicius would leave the Spanish giants for Arsenal, insisting it was only the Gunners’ supporters who believed the move was possible. PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

“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 said on the Obi One Podcast.

The former Chelsea midfielder argued that Vinicius had little reason to leave Madrid, given the club’s history and status in world football.

“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?

“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 added.

Mikel’s comments followed Arsenal’s unsuccessful pursuit of the Brazil international, with the Premier League champions reportedly making an ambitious proposal to lure him away from Madrid.

Vinicius was reportedly attracted by Arsenal’s offer, but Madrid eventually reached an agreement with the winger, who signed a new six-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2032.

Arsenal had been confident of completing the sensational deal after months of discussions with Vinicius and his representatives, but the player ultimately chose to remain at the Bernabeu.

Mikel rounded off his criticism with another dig at Arsenal, saying, “They wanted Morgan Rogers.”

(Punch)