Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must find a way to motivate his players and keep their spirits high as they push on in the Premier League title race this season.
Th Gunners have seen their impressive season fall apart after a pair of uninspiring performances in recent outings, which could also see them end trophyless at the end of the campaign.
The North London side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the final of the EFL Cup to Manchester City before the international break and then suffered another shock 2-1 loss to Southampton in the last eight of the FA Cup, ending another hopes of a trophy.
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Meanwhile, they were defeated 2-1 by Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend which also puts pressure on them ahead of next Sunday’s clash against Manchester City at the Etihad.
The gap at the top of the standings is now six points, while City have a game in hand which could set up a really exciting finish to the season.
Obi Mikel weighs in on Arsenal poor form
Speaking in an interview, former Chelsea midfielder Mikel has urged Arteta to become more flexible heading into the final few weeks of the season and is backing Arsenal to end their long wait for a league title.
“Arteta has to find a way to motivate this team,” Mikel revealed.
“For me, they look like a team that has run out of ideas. They have no clue. When you watch this Arsenal side, there’s nobody willing to take responsibility on the pitch. There’s nobody willing to be ‘that guy’ who says, ‘I’m going to create the chances; I’m going to make us play well.’
“It’s different when you watch City. They have so many players who get you off your seat—players you’d pay your hard-earned money to watch: Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva.
But when I watch this Arsenal side, name me one player right now who truly excites you. Nobody. Absolutely zero”, the former Nigerian captain added.
“Bukayo is that guy, but the way Mikel has structured this team has taken so much away from the creative players. We know what Ødegaard and Saka can do, but none of them are doing it right now.
They are missing something. I think Arteta has coached the flair out of them. When they go on the pitch now, they don’t know how to express their quality because they feel the manager isn’t letting them. It’s very static, boring, and even pathetic to watch. Motivation and freedom are the keys”, Mikel concluded.
Arsenal face a tough task of keeping the gap at the top of the Premier League standings when they face second-placed Manchester City next Sunday.
