'There is no way Vinicius Junior is leaving Real Madrid to go to Arsenal' - Chelsea legend mocks Gunners after Vinicius stays put

The saga surrounding Vinicius Junior's aboriginal has travel to an end, with the guardant extending his declaration with Real Madrid until June 2032. The result was acold from celebrated astatine Arsenal, who had shown important involvement successful signing the fig 7 this transportation window.

The Gunners' rivals, connected the different hand, person welcomed the news, immoderate adjacent mocking the failed pursuit by the existent Premier League champions. That was the lawsuit for John Obi Mikel, a Chelsea legend, who shared his thoughts connected the saga during an occurrence of The Obi One Podcast.

The erstwhile midfielder recalled ne'er believing Vinicius would swap the Santiago Bernabeu for the Emirates Stadium, contempt the frenzy the anticipation generated. 'I don't cognize what the Arsenal fans were expecting,' helium said.

'There is nary mode Vinicius Junior is leaving Real Madrid to spell to Arsenal, a nine that has won 1 rubric successful 22 years,' the erstwhile subordinate added. 'This feline wins titles; he's won tons of titles astatine Real Madrid.'

Mikel believes Vinicius 'used' Arsenal's interest

Mikel suggested Arsenal had efficaciously been utilized successful the negotiations, allowing Vinicius to unafraid a amended declaration from Real Madrid. The saga surrounding the Brazilian's renewal with the Spanish giants began past year, though the player's fiscal demands remained the main sticking point.

Money issues continued to clasp up talks this window, with the prima determined to gain €30m (£25,5m) per year. Arsenal entered the picture, began intimately pursuing the concern and dreamed of pulling disconnected the biggest transportation successful Premier League history.

However, to Arsenal's frustration, Real Madrid and Vinicius reaffirmed their committedness past week, with the fiscal presumption not disclosed. Mikel besides argued that the northbound London nine inactive cannot beryllium placed among 'the large boys' of European football.

Mikel questions Arsenal's lasting among Europe's elite

'You triumph the league aft 22 years and past you each of a abrupt think: that's it, you've arrived, you're 1 of the large boys again. No, you're not,' the Chelsea idol said.

'He wants to triumph titles play aft season, the Champions League, LaLiga, competing twelvemonth aft twelvemonth and winning those titles. He's tasted what it feels similar winning the Champions League, Arsenal person ne'er won the Champions League. Zero. You expect a subordinate who has won the Champions League with Real Madrid to permission that?'

A imaginable determination for the Brazilian to the Gunners would person helped manager Mikel Arteta resoluteness immoderate doubts implicit his undisputed left-wing starter. Leandro Trossard was the main enactment successful that presumption past play earlier leaving the nine this model to articulation Besiktas.

The Belgian's departure was replaced by the signing of Greek guardant Christos Tzolis, with Gabriel Martinelli besides among the options. The Brazilian's performances successful the 2025-26 Premier League, however, were wide questioned successful England.