Mikel's Blunt Assessment
John Obi Mikel has made a brutal comment about Arsenal fans, suggesting they were delusional in thinking Vinicius Jr would leave Real Madrid for the Premier League champions. The former Chelsea midfielder made the remarks on his podcast, The Obi One.
Arsenal's Interest in Vinicius Jr
Arsenal had weighed up a move for Vinicius Jr this summer, but the Brazilian forward opted to remain with Real Madrid after signing a new deal until 2032. The Gunners had the capacity to sign him and afford his wages, but no formal approach was made.
Mikel's Criticism
Mikel questioned what Arsenal fans were thinking in pursuing Vinicius Jr, suggesting they were unrealistic in their expectations. He pointed out that Vinicius Jr has twice lifted the Champions League trophy since joining Real Madrid in 2018, and that Arsenal have never won the competition.
Arsenal's Summer Signings
Despite the setback in their pursuit of Vinicius Jr, Arsenal have already had a busy summer. The club has signed midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75million, as well as Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. Piero Hincapie's loan from Bayer Leverkusen has also been made permanent, and Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Mikel's Parting Shot
Mikel's comments are likely to spark debate among Arsenal fans, who were disappointed by the failure to sign Vinicius Jr. The former Chelsea midfielder's blunt assessment of their expectations is a reminder that the transfer market can be unpredictable, and that sometimes clubs are not the destination of choice for top players.