Former Super Eagles star John Obi Mikel has slammed the officiating in Arsenal’s Premier League win over Manchester United on Sunday, insisting two of the Gunners’ set-piece goals should never have counted.
Arsenal beat the Red Devils 2-0 at the Emirates, with both goals coming from dead-ball situations. Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel didn’t hold back on what he saw from the officials.
In his words:
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 argued the issue goes beyond Arsenal alone, pointing to a pattern he believes referees keep ignoring. He continued:
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.
Softfootball understands the former Chelsea midfielder wants the Premier League to act before other clubs start copying the tactic.
He warned that referees need to step in quickly, or the trend will only spread across the league in the coming weeks.
