Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has defended his past comments about Arsenal, saying recent changes to football rules have supported some of the concerns he previously raised.
Mikel explained that he was often willing to speak about issues surrounding Arsenal that many people avoided discussing, especially the way the team managed set pieces, time, and physical challenges during matches.
He pointed to changes made by FIFA, including stricter rules around wasting time and contact with goalkeepers, as signs that some of the problems he highlighted were real.
“If I wasn’t saying the truth, nobody would care about it,” Mikel said.
The former Nigeria international stressed that he has no personal problem with Arsenal and accepts that teams can find different ways to win games.
However, he believes football should be played fairly, with players respecting the rules and avoiding repeated fouls, particularly around the goalkeeper.
Mikel also made it clear that he will continue to speak openly about things he believes are wrong in football, even when his opinions are unpopular.
His comments are likely to bring another debate among Arsenal supporters and football fans over how teams use tactics to gain an advantage during matches.
