Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has criticised Arsenal’s overall performance despite their 2-1 victory over Chelsea in a Premier League match on Sunday evening.

The Chelsea icon expressed disappointment with the quality of football on show, questioning Arsenal’s creativity and accusing manager Mikel Arteta of relying too heavily on set-pieces.

Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel said the match failed to live up to expectations typically associated with high-profile London derbies.

"When you go into derbies, these are games I look forward to playing back then because there's a lot of excitement and joy," Mikel said. 

"When I watch these local derbies now, rivalries games that should produce a lot, there should be something a lot plays with creativity and potentials.

"That's the whole package that we used to enjoy. But watching the game the other day was tough to watch. It was painful in the eyes for me."

Despite Arsenal claiming all three points, Mikel insisted the performance lacked flair and attacking imagination.

"There was not a lot going on because you expected to see a lot more going on from the teams.

"Yes they did win the game but Arsenal were horrible to watch, there was no creativity in the team. There was no excitement, there was nothing," he lamented.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner further questioned the Gunners’ attacking approach, pointing to what he described as an over-dependence on set-pieces for goals.

"You have all these creative players, that you have in the team - that you brought to the club.

"You spent so much money bringing these players into the club and you still can't find a way of winning games without set-pieces.

"They have depended solely on set-pieces and corner kicks to win games. They have scored sixteen goals from corner kicks this season. I don't see Arsenal winning games without corner kicks," he added. 

Mikel’s comment comes amid Arsenal’s push to sustain momentum in the title race, with Arteta’s side continuing to grind out results in crucial fixtures. 

Arsenal found the net twice from set-pieces, with William Saliba and Jurriën Timber converting corner kicks in each half to secure the victory.

The result lifted the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table, opening up a five-point lead over Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

Adeyemi Adewale