Chelsea legend Mikel Obi has refused to criticize Liverpool despite their poor form recently as he insisted that the club is still suffering from the effect of Diogo Jota’s death, Softfootball reports.

The football world was thrown into shock as the news broke that Jota and brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in July.

The Reds began the season well by winning their first five Premier League matches but their form has deeper in recent times as they have lost their last four matches against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United and Brentford.

However, speaking on his official podcast ‘ObiOne,’ Mikel believes Liverpool’s form is greatly affected by the demise of Jota. He said:

Let’s not forget that a massive tragedy happened at the club that nobody expected.

As footballers, we spend more time with our teammates than with our own families because we are together in the dressing room every single day.

Losing such a massive figure is always going to affect these players. It doesn’t matter how well they started the season or how talented they are – something like this hits you emotionally, and it stays with you. For me, whatever is happening at the club, the emotion is still very raw.

When you look at Mohamed Salah right now, who was very close to Jota, you can see that he is a shadow of his former self.

So, I think we need to be careful and a bit more understanding in the way we criticise this Liverpool team.

Here is a video of the podcast. Watch below.

‘STILL DEALING WITH EMOTIONS’@mikel_john_obi is reluctant to stick the boot in on @LFC after five defeats in six.

And here’s why… pic.twitter.com/N5951fXxxC

— The Obi One Podcast (@obionepodcast) October 28, 2025

The major reason they won their first five Premier League matches was down to the good form of Hugo Ekitike, who arrived the club from Bundesliga outfit and hit the ground running with goals.

But the arrival of Alexander Isak created a problem for Arne Slot as he couldn’t fit both huge money strikers in the same team and the creative supply was low because huge money signing, Florian Wirtz struggled for form.

Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup this weekend and would hope a return to winning ways could spark a revival in the Premier League where they are currently placed seventh with 15 points after nine matches.

Few would have imagined Sunderland AFC being here today. After back-to-back relegations in 2017 and 2018, the club’s fall from grace felt endless. Fast-forward to October 2025, and the Black Cats are suddenly one of the Premier League’s brightest stories. Their recent 2–1 triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which was reported by Softfootball, wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that Sunderland are no longer here to make up the numbers.

Speaking after that game, as reported by Softffoball, defender Chemsdine Talbi said they knew they could do the job, and they showed it. That quiet confidence says everything about this new Sunderland: fearless, well-drilled, and united under head coach Regis Le Bris.

Their story has been building quietly. Promotion from League One came in 2022 under Alex Neil, but things really changed when Le Bris arrived in 2024. He brought a clear identity of high pressing, bold football, and faith in young players. In May 2025, that belief paid off when Sunderland edged Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, sealing their long-awaited return to the top flight.

Now, they are not just surviving; they are competing. As of October 28, 2025, Sunderland sits 4th in the Premier League table, level on 17 points with Tottenham and just behind Bournemouth on goal difference. They have won five, drawn two, and lost only twice in nine matches, scoring 11 and conceding 7.

Veterans like Granit Xhaka and Reinildo Mandava have given balance to a side built around fearless youth. Sunderland, via their official X account, posted a feature on Reinildo Mandava praising teammate Granit Xhaka, highlighting an unexpected cultural and professional synergy on the pitch.

Reinildo: 'Granit has so much quality, not only on the pitch but off it. In training, he pushes us, he shares his experience – that’s very special. I’m very proud to play with him.' pic.twitter.com/Av5sqr2eMX

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 27, 2025

Xhaka, ever the leader, already has three assists to his name. Wilson Isidor has scored four times, while Talibi and Daniel Ballard have chipped in crucial goals. Nordi Mukiele has been rock solid at the back, and young keeper Robin Roefs keeps growing in confidence every week.

What’s happening at Sunderland feels genuine and not a lucky streak or a short-term miracle. It’s eight years of hard work, smart recruitment, and patient rebuilding finally paying off. The Stadium of Light feels alive again, louder, prouder, and full of belief.

From relegation despair to the edge of Champions League qualification, Sunderland’s journey is a reminder that football still rewards vision, courage, and a bit of stubborn faith.

Since joining Arsenal from Crystal Palace for £67.5 million in August 2025, Eberechi Eze has quickly become the creative spark that Mikel Arteta’s side seemed to be missing. Wearing the iconic No. 10 shirt, a number steeped in North London history, Eberechi Eze has injected flair, unpredictability, and a calm confidence into Arsenal’s attacking play, easing some of the creative burden once shouldered by Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.

His first Premier League goal today, a clever improvised volley from a Declan Rice free-kick in a 1-0 win over his former club, was more than just a strike; it felt symbolic. It captured Arsenal’s growing reliance on set pieces, with 11 of their 16 goals this season coming from dead-ball situations, the highest ratio ever recorded in Premier League history.

Softfootball understands Eze’s influence has gone beyond numbers, though the stats still impress, with three assists and two goals already, and a 87% pass accuracy, and 2.3 key passes per match. It’s very easy to see why Arteta compared his style to that of Santi Cazorla and Tomáš Rosický, as it is evident that the 27-year-old reads the game like few others.

Against Crystal Palace, Eze was just unplayable and was rightfully voted the best player of the match in a voting poll set by Arsenal via their official X account.

They posted;

Another collective team effort.

Time to pick your Player of the Match, Gooners

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 26, 2025

Tactically, the Spaniard has reshaped his system to get the best out of him. With Viktor Gyökeres drifting into wide channels and Piero Hincapie or Riccardo Calafiori pushing high up the flanks, Eze finds those half-spaces where he can turn, glide, and dictate tempo.

At 27, Eze looks like a man entering his prime. His blend of finesse and fearlessness is giving Arsenal something they’ve missed since the Özil days. And with 22 points from nine matches, it feels like something special is brewing again in North London.