Arsenal fans were left frustrated after the club's pursuit of Vinicius Jr failed to materialise, with the 26-year-old opting to remain with Real Madrid. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has poked fun at the Gunners supporters' reaction to the potential deal, suggesting they had been "delusional" in their expectations. Mikel argued that Vinicius Jr had won titles with Real Madrid and was unlikely to leave the club for a team that had only recently won its first Premier League title in 22 years.
Arsenal's interest in Vinicius Jr was reportedly sparked by the club's recent success, including winning the Premier League title in 2025. However, Mikel's comments suggest that the Gunners may have been overestimating their chances of signing the Brazil forward. Despite the setback, Arsenal have been busy in the transfer market, signing midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75million and goalkeeper Illan Meslier.