The controversy surrounding Arsenal’s corner routines became particularly prominent during the 2025–26 campaign. Mikel had previously criticised the club’s approach during an appearance on talkSPORT, questioning the physical battles inside the penalty area and accusing Arsenal of relying too heavily on set pieces. These were his criticisms, rather than an established finding that Arsenal had broken football regulations.
The former midfielder’s argument has also drawn attention to the responsibility of referees and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). During his criticism, Mikel questioned why officials and VAR did not intervene when players appeared to hold opponents or obstruct goalkeepers during Arsenal’s corner routines.
He believes that if particular actions constitute fouls, they should be punished consistently, irrespective of the club involved. In his view, allowing similar incidents to go unpunished could encourage other Premier League teams to adopt comparable approaches.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has previously defended his team’s set-piece preparations, arguing that tactical innovation is part of modern football. Arteta has also dismissed criticism of the amount of preparation his team puts into corners.
Nevertheless, the discussion is unlikely to disappear anytime soon, especially with rival supporters continuing to debate whether Arsenal’s approach to set pieces improves the spectacle of Premier League football or creates unnecessary physical battles.
Mikel’s reported argument about taking Arsenal to court raises a separate legal question. Holding and impeding opponents can constitute offences under football’s Laws of the Game, but that does not automatically mean a club can be sued in court simply because its players use controversial set-piece routines. Any legal proceedings would require an identifiable legal basis and supporting evidence.
For Arsenal, the controversy represents another challenge in the public debate surrounding Arteta’s tactical philosophy. The club’s supporters are likely to defend the team’s methods as legitimate preparation, while critics may continue demanding stricter enforcement of the existing rules.
Ultimately, the central issue raised by Mikel is whether football authorities apply the rules consistently. If a player commits an offence during a corner, the referee should make the appropriate decision regardless of the team involved.
His comments have therefore reopened an important discussion about the limits of physicality in modern football, the responsibilities of match officials and whether Premier League regulations are being applied consistently across all clubs.