Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has expressed his discontent over how Arsenal secured their Premier League title in the 2025/26 season, claiming the team used dubious methods at corner kicks.
Last season, the Gunners scored 25 goals from set-pieces, setting a new record for the most goals directly from corners (19). However, Mikel, a Chelsea legend, argues that many of these goals were scored unfairly, suggesting the club "cheated" their way to championship glory.
Speaking on his podcast, Obi One, Mikel said:
When I look at Arsenal's play right now, they are relying solely on corners. Mikel Arteta, you've spent nearly a billion. And you’re telling me the only way to win matches is through corners? Look at these corners; they’re holding players... This is illegal. All their creativity and potential have just flown out the window. We don't see that anymore because they only lean on set-pieces. To me, they’ve paved their way to victory in the Premier League through trickery. The way they win matches is unlawful. It's illegal.
Despite Mikel's allegations, Arsenal's approach to corner kicks has followed the rules, using their physicality to create problems for opponents. Additionally, under Arteta, the team has diversified their attacking strategies this season, scoring the majority of their goals from open play and responding to critics who have accused them of over-relying on set-pieces.
