Sports
Why Chelsea players, fans don’t wish Arsenal well- Ex player
No fan or ex-player of the Chelsea would want Arsenal FC to win the Premier League title, former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has said.
Mikel made the remark on his Obi One Podcast released on Monday as the Premier League title race intensifies, insisting that the long-standing rivalry between both London clubs makes such support impossible.
He said, “No Chelsea ex-player or fan will ever want to see Arsenal win the Premier League.
Responding to criticism from Arsenal supporters, Mikel dismissed claims that such sentiments reflect a “small club” mentality. He recalled that interactions between players and fans of both clubs were often hostile, even outside match settings.
To all Arsenal fans saying, ‘Mikel, you are too harsh on us,’ I’m Chelsea, and you can take it personally. I don’t want you to win the Premier League.
“We hated each other; the rivalry was crazy [back then]. We smashed each other. And when I went out after the games in London or whenever it was, when I saw Arsenal fans or players, we never spoke to each other. Sometimes, even our friends got into fights.”
He also warned that if Arsenal fails to win the Premier League this season, it would be the biggest disaster in the history of the competition for the Gunners.
“These Arsenal players, they have to understand that this is their probably, if they don’t win it (Premier League) this season. It’s probably going to be the biggest disaster in the history of the Premier League for them.
“It’s going to be the biggest disaster for them because right now, if they had won that game [against Bournemouth] on Saturday. It will be 12 points.
“They took their foot off the gas over the weekend, and Man City came right back, and right now it is 6 points.”
“Arteta has to find a way, because right now they look like a team that are out of sorts; they don’t know what to do, and he [Arteta] looks out of ideas.”
Arsenal missed the chance to extend their lead at the weekend after a shock 2–1 defeat to Bournemouth, while Manchester City closed the gap with a 3–0 win over Chelsea.
With six games remaining, Arsenal sit top of the table with a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Both sides are set to meet this weekend in what could prove decisive in the title race.
A Somali referee, Omar Artan, prevented from entering the United States of America to officiate at the world cup, will not get any help from the world football governing body, FIFA.
FIFA said it could not intervene, stressing that visa and entry decisions rest solely with host governments.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Artan was denied entry after routine inspection, citing “vetting concerns.”
The Somali government expressed “deep regret” over his exclusion, saying Artan “represents the very best of Somali talent.”
The controversy comes as the expanded FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup prepares to begin under heightened political tensions.
said the “biggest dream of my life” was taken away after he was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, following what authorities described as vetting concerns.
Artan, who was named Referee of the Year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, has since been removed from FIFA’s list of tournament officials after he was refused entry on arrival in Miami on Saturday.
The decision comes amid broader immigration restrictions linked to travel bans introduced under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which include Somalia among several affected countries.
A U.S. State Department United States Department of State official told AFP that Artan was considered “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a claim that rendered him “inadmissible” under U.S. entry rules.
Following an 11-hour interview with border officials in Miami ,Miami, Artan said he was moved to a holding facility before being placed on a flight back to Istanbul.
“I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream… to come to the World Cup,” he told The New York Times The New York Times in a phone interview, adding that he had valid documen
tation and a visa.
A Somali referee, Omar Artan, has said the “biggest dream of my life” was taken away after he was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, following what authorities described as vetting concerns.
Artan, who was named Referee of the Year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football Confederation of African Football, has since been removed from FIFA’s list of tournament officials after he was refused entry on arrival in Miami on Saturday.
The decision comes amid broader immigration restrictions linked to travel bans introduced under the administration of the U.S. President Donald Trump Donald Trump, which include Somalia among several affected countries.
A U.S. State Department United States Department of State official told AFP that Artan was considered “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a claim that rendered him “inadmissible” under U.S. entry rules.
Following an 11-hour interview with border officials in Miami Miami, Artan said he was moved to a holding facility before being placed on a flight back to Istanbul.
“I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream… to come to the World Cup,” he told The New York Times The New York Times in a phone interview, adding that he had valid documentation and a visa.
FIFA said it could not intervene, stressing that visa and entry decisions rest solely with host governments.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Artan was denied entry after routine inspection, citing “vetting concerns.”
The Somali government expressed “deep regret” over his exclusion, saying Artan “represents the very best of Somali talent.”
The controversy comes as the expanded FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup prepares to begin under heightened political tensions.
Iran, one of the participating teams, has reportedly faced logistical disruptions, including changes to training arrangements and visa issues affecting staff and supporters, according
to football authorities.
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