Nigeria Leagues
John Mikel Obi calls for cancellation of Arsenal’s set-piece goals
By Saheed Afolabi
Nigeria football legend Mikel John Obi has called for the cancellation of the goals scored by Arsenal from set pieces during their 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates.
Mikel, a former Chelsea star, argued that the goals should not have stood due to the illegal nature of the set-piece tactics employed by Arsenal.
He claimed that the blocking of the goalkeeper’s sight and pathway during these set pieces violates the rules of the game.
“The set piece, I’ve said it. That’s illegal. Those goals should not stand. What they’re doing to the goalkeeper is illegal,” Mikel stated on the Obi One Podcast.
“I don’t think that should stand because those players have no intention of playing the ball. What they’re doing there is pinning the goalkeeper, obstructing the goalkeeper from coming out.”
Mikel further criticized the actions of Arsenal players, emphasizing that blocking the goalkeeper’s attempts to claim the ball is a clear infringement.
“They actually blocked him. If a goalkeeper is trying to come out to claim the ball, there’s no chance. They get away with it all the time. I mean, all the time,” Mikel said.
The former Nigerian international called on referees and league authorities to take action, warning that if this practice continues unchecked, other clubs may begin to use similar tactics.
“It’s incredible. Not just Saliba, a host of them impede the goalkeeper from coming out. For me, that’s illegal. The referees should cut that out. They need to stop it right now because if they don’t, a lot of clubs will start doing it,” he concluded.
