John Obi Mikel says he saw one Arsenal player get absolutely ‘bullied’ against Newcastle

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Arsenal were finally able to overcome their struggle at St James’ Park with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United.

The Gunners left it late to secure their first comeback win over Newcastle at St James’ Park in 39 years. 

It was a tremendous achievement for Mikel Arteta’s side, who fought until the dying embers to turn the game on its head. 

Though Arsenal thoroughly deserved to take three points from the contest, Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel noticed that the visitors struggled in one particular area. 

• READ MORE: Mikel Merino absolutely loved what he saw from Eberechi Eze during Newcastle win

John Obi Mikel saw Bukayo Saka struggle with Newcastle’s aggression 

If there’s one thing that is a constant concern for any team going to face Newcastle away from home, it’s the physicality of Eddie Howe’s side. 

Arsenal got the upper hand this time round, legal or not, with Gabriel Magalhaes’ shove on Nick Woltemade a talking point. 

That being said, speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel shared a different view of Arsenal after watching them at St James’ Park. 

“I think they’re very, very weak. Arsenal, I think, mentally, they’re a weak side, and if you can be able to bully them and be aggressive for Arsenal, you have the upper hand,” Mikel said.

The two-time Champions League winner then insisted that Newcastle ‘bullied’ Arsenal, singling out Bukayo Saka as a player who suffered. 

“I watched that game yesterday. For the best part of 80 minutes, 85 minutes, Newcastle were very aggressive, bullied Arsenal. And you can see Saka was always on the floor.”

It was a bold piece of feedback from Mikel, particularly as the strength of some Arsenal players was commented on by other pundits. 

Saka’s statistics against Newcastle

One thing Mikel did say did ring true, as Saka was punished by the hosts on the right side.

Frequently, when the winger was on the ball, Newcastle would flurry around him and look for a solution to limit his threat.

Saka drew two fouls during the contest and lost possession 18 times, which, to some degree, communicates how brash Newcastle were when handling him.

The Hale End product managed to put his stamp on the game by completing three dribbles, but aside from that, it was a rather routine performance from the forward.

Having newly returned from injury, Arteta will be relieved that, above anything, he was able to get Saka out of St James’ Park unscathed.