‘That’s illegal’ — Mikel Obi tackles Arsenal over corner kick antics, names two players who commit foul on goalkeepers
Former Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi has slammed Premier League giants Arsenal for their corner kick tactics, which he deems illegal.
Mikel Arteta’s side scored both their goals against Manchester United in the Premier League last Wednesday from corner kicks.
Jurriën Timber scored the first in the 54th minute before William Saliba added the second in the 73rd minute to secure a 2-0 victory for the Gunners.
It was the sixth and seventh set-piece goal for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, a new scoring tactic Mikel Arteta’s side seems to have perfected.
Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi appears to be displeased with the Gunners’ new-found scoring technique.
Mikel believes the Arsenal players block the opposition goalkeeper anytime the corner kick is floated into the box, leading to the goal.
“Those set pieces are illegal. For me, those goals should not stand. What they are doing to the goalkeeper is illegal.
“I don’t think that should stand because those players have no intention of playing the ball.
“What they’re there to do is pin the goalkeeper down, obstruct him from coming out; not just obstruct, they actually block him.
“If a goalkeeper is trying to come out to claim, there’s no chance. I mean, Ben White does that all the time and gets away with it. It’s incredible.
“Not just him, Saliba also, both of them come and impede the goalkeeper from coming out. For me, that’s illegal.”
Source: www.mynigeria.com
