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Mikel Obi on the Obi One podcast. [Photo credit: X]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi has advised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta that the only way to secure the Premier League title this season is to motivate his squad and stop micromanaging his players, Soccernet.ng reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u200bOnly a few weeks ago, the Premier League title race appeared to be over, with Arsenal seemingly cruising toward a historic triumph. However, things have gone awry for the North Londoners recently. <\/p>\n While Arsenal has been under pressure for much of the campaign, tensions reached sky high just before the last international break.<\/p>\n \u200bThe Gunners first suffered a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City in the EFL Cup final. Following the break, they were knocked out of the FA Cup quarterfinals after a 2-1 loss to Championship side Southampton. While these were cup exits, they served as a grim omen for their league form. <\/p>\n That warning manifested last weekend when the Gunners fell 2-1 to Bournemouth at the Emirates. It was a lackluster performance from Arsenal, who struggled to match the intensity of a Bournemouth side that entered the match as clear underdogs.<\/p>\n \u200bThe result has blown the title race wide open. Manchester City\u2019s emphatic 3-0 victory over Chelsea<\/a> on Sunday means the reigning champions now have their destiny in their own hands.<\/p>\n Although City currently trails by six points, they possess a game in hand and can close the gap further by beating Arsenal when the two sides lock horns this weekend. To secure the top spot, City will also likely need to score heavily to overtake Arsenal’s goal difference.<\/p>\n \u200bSince the loss to Bournemouth, Arsenal has faced heavy criticism, with many fans branding them \u201cbottlers\u201d due to their growing reputation for faltering in high-stakes moments.<\/p>\n \u200bSuper Eagles legend Mikel Obi, who spent the bulk of his career in the Premier League, agrees with this assessment to an extent. However, he remains convinced that Arteta\u2019s men still have a strong chance of claiming the trophy if they adjust their approach for the final seven games of the campaign.<\/p>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/mYVbHYOdV3LfXLs97z5ek-8Pmus=\/1024x682\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2025%2F05%2Fimago1061823150.jpg\")
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\u200bMikel Obi\u2019s Blueprint for Arsenal\u2019s Success<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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