Former Chelsea and Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal’s controversial set-piece routines, accusing the Premier League leaders of playing “illegal football” with tactics designed to obstruct goalkeepers during corners.
The former Super Eagles captain’s comments come amid growing outrage surrounding Arsenal’s aggressive corner routines and renewed debate over consistency in VAR decisions following the Gunners’ recent 1-0 victory against West Ham United.
West Ham thought they had rescued a dramatic late equaliser when Callum Wilson bundled the ball over the line after David Raya failed to deal with a crowded set-piece situation. However, referee Chris Kavanagh overturned the goal after a lengthy VAR review, ruling that Pablo had fouled Raya in the build-up.
John Obi Mikel speaking on The-Obi-One-Podcast set.
The decision immediately reignited accusations that Arsenal themselves have benefited from similar physical tactics throughout the season.
Speaking on the issue, Mikel Obi insisted the type of blocking Arsenal regularly employ at corners should no longer be tolerated.
“For me, those goals should not stand,” Mikel said.
“What they’re doing to the goalkeeper is illegal. Those players have no intention of playing the ball. What they’re there for is to pin the goalkeeper down and obstruct him from coming out.
“And not just obstruct, they actually block him. If a goalkeeper is trying to come out to claim, there’s no chance.”
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Mikel specifically pointed to Ben White and William Saliba as repeat offenders in Arsenal’s corner routines.
“Ben White does that all the time and gets away with it all the time,” he continued.
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“Not just him, Saliba also. Both of them come and impede the goalkeeper from coming out. For me, that’s illegal. The referee should cut that out.
“They need to stop it right now because if they don’t, a lot of clubs are going to start doing it.”
His criticism mirrors growing frustration across the Premier League over what many now describe as “wrestling-style” set pieces.
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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher recently argued that Arsenal have become masters at exploiting grey areas within the laws of the game.
Carragher suggested much of the anger directed towards the Gunners stems from the fact they consistently “push the boundaries” in pursuit of marginal gains under manager Mikel Arteta.
Sky sports Jamie Carragher. Photocredit: Sky sports
According to Carragher, Arsenal’s controversial corner tactics date back several seasons, with examples repeatedly appearing in major matches.
He referenced Arsenal’s opening-weekend victory against Manchester United, where Saliba was accused of backing into goalkeeper Altay Bayindir during the winning goal.
Carragher also pointed to Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa in December, where Gabriel Magalhaes was criticised for aggressively backing into the goalkeeper during another corner situation.
Perhaps the most controversial example came against Leicester City three years ago when Ben White appeared to grip the goalkeeper’s glove before Leandro Trossard scored from the resulting corner. That goal was eventually disallowed.
Carragher argued those incidents prove Arsenal do not always “get away with it,” but admitted they remain the league’s most effective and most aggressive set-piece side.
Mads Hermansen. Photocredit: Getty Images
The latest controversy has also exposed wider frustration among goalkeepers and managers over inconsistent officiating.
West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen admitted Raya had been impeded during the disallowed equalizer but questioned why similar incidents throughout the season have gone unpunished.
“If you ask any goalkeeper in the league if he’s been illegally blocked, pulled or pushed on corners this season, I think you will not find anyone who has not experienced this,” Hermansen said.
He also highlighted shirt-pulling incidents involving Konstantinos Mavropanos, Tomas Soucek and Pablo during the same phase of play.
Former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel went even further, claiming Arsenal “would never be top of the league” if such physical blocking was consistently punished.
“What really makes me angry is that Arsenal have scored so many goals by blocking people, holding people and doing all kinds of things,” Schmeichel said.
VAR Monitor. Photocredit: Getty Images
The controversy has once again intensified scrutiny on VAR and the interpretation of fouls during corners.
While former referee Dermot Gallagher defended the decision to disallow West Ham’s goal — arguing Pablo clearly fouled Raya first critics believe the same standard has not been applied consistently throughout the season.
Even West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo admitted confusion now surrounds what constitutes a foul during set pieces.
“Almost like a wrestling situation,” Nuno said.
“What is the barrier, what is the frontier of what is a foul and what is not a foul? Everybody feels confused.”
Arteta, meanwhile, praised officials for overturning the West Ham goal, insisting the decision was “very brave” and “the right call.”
But Mikel Obi’s explosive comments are likely to keep the debate alive, especially as Arsenal continue their pursuit of the Premier League title.
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And with more clubs now adopting similarly physical corner routines, the pressure is growing on referees and VAR officials to finally define where aggressive set-piece play ends
