Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has questioned Arsenal’s failed attempt to sign Real Madrid winger Vinícius Jr.

The Gunners’ quest to pull off one of the biggest transfers in history was foiled when the Brazilian winger renewed his contract with Los Blancos, despite strong interest from Arsenal.

Arsenal were reportedly in pole position to sign Vinícius, promising to make him the face of their team and the Premier League with a lucrative financial package. However, the deal eventually collapsed.

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Reacting to this, Mikel Obi said he was not surprised by the outcome, stressing that the player would not “downgrade” to join a club where winning major titles is rare.

Obi argued that Vinícius would never leave a club that helped him win multiple Champions League titles to join one that has never won the competition in its history, questioning Arsenal fans’ expectations.

“I don’t know what the Arsenal fans were expecting. You win the league after 22 years and then all of a sudden think: that’s it, you’ve arrived; you’re one of the big boys again. No, you’re not.

"He’s tasted what it feels like winning the Champions League. Arsenal have never won the Champions League. Zero. You expect a player who has won the Champions League with Real Madrid to leave that,” he said on The Obi One podcast.

SB/JKB

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