Arsenal is considered unlikely to win the Premier League

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel drew notice by asserting that Arsenal will fail to clinch the Premier League title, despite Arteta’s squad topping the standings at present.

Recently, former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel stirred public debate with his candid remarks about Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League this season. During the talkSPORT Drive, when asked which club would claim the Premier League crown in 2025, Mikel responded with just three words: “Definitely not Arsenal.”

Mikel’s brief yet meaningful statement immediately made the hosts Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent, an ardent Arsenal fan, laugh. However, behind that remark lies the serious viewpoint of the former Nigerian star regarding Arteta’s team’s quest for the title.

Currently, Arsenal leads the Premier League table after seven rounds with 16 points, raising hopes for their first championship since the “Invincibles” season of 2003/04. Nevertheless, Mikel remains skeptical about the North London club’s resilience. According to him, Arsenal under Arteta has improved significantly but still lacks the “winning DNA” needed to reach the top.

Since Arteta took charge, Arsenal has spent over 1 billion Euros on transfers, including a record signing of Declan Rice for £105 million from West Ham. However, apart from the 2020 FA Cup, the Gunners have not secured any major trophies in the past five years.

“Arsenal is a big club. You cannot celebrate just because of winning the FA Cup. At Chelsea, we used to consider the FA Cup as a routine achievement. We aim to win the Premier League or Champions League, as those are the true measures of a great club,” Mikel emphasized.

Still, Mikel shows respect for coach Arteta, acknowledging that the Spaniard has brought new energy to the team. “He is a good coach who has built a strong squad and helped the club operate more professionally. But the question is: does Arteta have what it takes to lead Arsenal to the top in Europe and England?”

According to Mikel, Arsenal’s biggest problem currently lies in their mentality on the pitch. “They have a good lineup, but I’m not sure the players have the mental strength to handle pressure. That’s what stops them from achieving major titles.”