Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has criticised Arsenal fans after the Gunners failed to sign Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the summer transfer window.
The Brazil international had emerged as an unexpected target for Arsenal, who were reportedly prepared to make the 26-year-old the highest-paid player in Premier League history in an attempt to bring him to north London.
However, the proposed move did not happen, with Vinicius instead agreeing to extend his contract with Real Madrid.
The decision has prompted a strong response from Obi Mikel, who questioned why Arsenal supporters believed the winger would leave the Spanish giants for the Premier League club.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Obi One Podcast, Obi Mikel pointed to Arsenal’s recent record of success, arguing that the club’s lack of Champions League success and limited Premier League title haul made a move for Vinicius unlikely.
“I don’t know what the Arsenal fans were expecting,” Obi Mikel said.
The former Chelsea player argued that Arsenal’s recent Premier League title success should not be viewed as evidence that the club had immediately returned to the level of Europe’s most successful sides.
“You win the league after 22 years and then you all of a sudden think: that is it, you have arrived, you are one of the big boys again. No, you are not.
“They have just been humbled because I said it: there is no way Vinicius Junior is leaving Real Madrid to go to Arsenal, a club that has won one title in 22 years.”
Arsenal had reportedly been willing to make Vinicius the highest-paid player in Premier League history, highlighting the scale of their interest in the Brazilian winger.
Despite that reported financial commitment, Vinicius ultimately chose to remain with Real Madrid, where he has established himself as a key player and experienced success at the highest level.
For Obi Mikel, that history of winning trophies was central to why he believed the transfer was never realistic.
“This guy wins titles; he’s won lots of titles at Real Madrid. He wants to win titles season after season, the Champions League, La Liga, competing year after year and winning those titles.”
The former Nigeria international also emphasised the importance of Vinicius having already experienced winning the Champions League, something Arsenal have not achieved.
“He’s tasted what it feels like to win the Champions League. Arsenal have never won the Champions League. Zero,” he said.
Obi Mikel’s comments therefore focused on the difference between Arsenal’s recent progress and Real Madrid’s established record of success.
Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Vinicius represented an ambitious attempt to add one of the world’s leading attacking players to their squad. The Brazilian’s decision to remain in Madrid means that ambition will not result in a transfer this summer.
The 26-year-old had been identified as a surprise target during the transfer window, with Arsenal reportedly prepared to offer a contract that would have made him the highest-paid player in Premier League history.
Instead, Real Madrid retained the services of their Brazilian international by extending his contract.
The outcome has allowed Obi Mikel to renew his argument that Arsenal still have work to do before they can be considered alongside clubs with long-standing records of domestic and European success.
His criticism centred particularly on the contrast between Arsenal’s recent Premier League achievement and Real Madrid’s history of winning major trophies.
While Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for a Premier League title, Obi Mikel argued that Vinicius would have little reason to leave a club where he has already experienced repeated success and competed for the Champions League and La Liga.
The failed pursuit means Arsenal must look elsewhere as they continue their efforts to strengthen their squad, while Vinicius will remain at Real Madrid following his contract extension.
For Obi Mikel, the outcome confirmed his belief that Arsenal’s recent success alone was not enough to convince a player accustomed to winning major European and domestic honours to leave Real Madrid.
His comments have consequently added another layer to the reaction surrounding Arsenal’s failed attempt to sign Vinicius, with the former Chelsea midfielder using the situation to question the club’s standing among Europe’s elite.
