I'm ready for Arsenal, Mikel
begs Ancelotti
Friday, February 5, 2010
John Mikel Obi
Super Eagles midfielder, John
Mikel Obi, has affirmed that
he is ready to return to
Chelsea starting line-up for
the all-important clash
against Arsenal at Stamford
Bridge this weekend, even
as he admited he facing a big
fight to win back his
defensive midfield slot.
The 22-year-old who
rejoined his team on
Tuesday after the Nations
Cup duty with the Eagles saw
an unbeaten Chelsea with
both Deco and Michael Ballack
filling in at the base of the
midfield.
Mikel told the club's Web site
that he is focusing on
earning a place in the Carlo
Ancelotti 's starting 11,
stressing that he is eying his
return against Arsenal to
make his 150th Chelsea
appearance milestone.
" I've kept in touch with Gary
(Staker, player liaison
officer) and some of the
players, and I always want to
know what the score is. I saw
some of the games while I
was in Angola, the game
against Burnley and Preston
in the FA Cup. So, I 've known
what has been going on, and
they have done really well
without the African players. It
isn 't going to be easy for us
to walk back into the team
again. We know we have to
come back, work hard and
support the team. "
The former Lyn Oslo
playmaker who resumed
training on Wednesday with
the reserve team maintained
that despite his adventure,
he is in good shape.
"I feel okay, I came back on
Tuesday, had some medical
tests and everything went
well, so I 'm fit and ready to
go again, ready for Arsenal
who are a very good team,
so if I am selected I can help
the team as much as I can. '
Reflecting on his time in
Angola, Mikel noted that he
was proud of the Eagles '
third-placed finish, even as
he admitted that the
experience was tinged with
disappointment.
" A bronze medal is better
than winning nothing, and I
have it at home. It would
have been better to play in
the Final but looking back on
the semifinal against Ghana,
we played well and created a
lot of chances, but failed to
put the ball in the net. For
me, I am happy with the
tournament and how we did,"
he noted.
On Eagles' loss to Egypt in
the opening group stage, he
said: "I think everyone
knows how well the Egyptian
team played and how
consistent they have been in
the Nations Cup. I think the
way they play you can see
how well they know each
other, they are well
organised and are used to
each other 's game. It is a bit
surprising they are not in
the World Cup, because they
are a good side. "