In defence of Arsenal – is criticism of Premier League leaders unfair?

Arsenal‘s barren sequence of nearly 22 years without a Premier League title stretching back to Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” has been littered with accusations they were style over substance, a soft touch – lacking what is commonly called “bottle”.

The modern-day Gunners now stand nine games from ending that tortuous wait for glory, five points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Arsenal also finished top of the Champions League standings with eight wins from eight games. They play City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, and are overwhelming favourites for their FA Cup fifth round tie at League One side Mansfield Town.

If the cards fall, Arsenal could yet complete the greatest campaign in their club’s history.

And yet, the tables have been turned on Arsenal, with Arteta’s side now being labelled as dull and over-pragmatic, relying on set piece expertise rather than a purist style in their bid to win the title.

There were nerves in Sunday’s 2-1 win at home to Chelsea, but Arsenal have responded to throwing away a 2-0 lead at doomed Wolverhampton Wanderers with that result, following on from an emphatic 4-1 triumph in the north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur.

This was show of character demanded by outside observers, yet more brickbats came their way for scoring both goals from corners.

It was fresh ammunition for those decrying Arsenal as one-dimensional, but Arteta will be within his rights to point out he is using what almost amounts to a lethal (and legal) weapon through the work of French set-piece coach Nicolas Jover and Declan Rice’s superb delivery.

Narrow, scrappy wins are usually lauded as the most important in triumphant title campaigns, the preserve of champions.

Arsenal have been criticised, including here, to missed opportunities and suffering under pressure in the past, and they still have City breathing down their neck.

The day of destiny may come in April when Arsenal face City at Etihad Stadium,

Now, however, Arsenal are currently in a magnificent position, but remain largely unloved outside their particular part of north London.

The bottom line is this – if Arsenal win the title (other pieces of silverware are available) there would not be a single unhappy Gunners fan. No-one will be discussing how many set pieces they scored from, or whether they were pleasing on the eye, if the celebrations start.

Arteta’s job is to please his Arsenal superiors and their supporters, not to satisfy connoisseurs or make opposition fans like them.

It is to win. And he is doing that.

The qualification is that Arteta must now win – with the Premier League crown being the one that matters most – because if Arsenal go another season without the title then he will be questioned.

Arteta and Arsenal now have to hold the nerve we have all questioned.

But it does seem somewhat contradictory to slate Arsenal for their style when they fall short, then carp when they reach March in firm contention for all four major prizes.

This is what Arteta means when he talks about the “noise” surrounding title races, especially if your club has not won one since 2003/04.

And is the criticism of Arsenal’s systematic style actually fair?

Arsenal have scored more goals (58) and conceded fewest (22) in the Premier League. Their goal difference of +36 is the highest.

Predictably, Arsenal are way ahead on goals scored from set pieces, including penalties, with 21 compared to Manchester United’s 15 in second.

They have scored 27.6% of their goals this season from corners, with 16. Spurs are top of that particular table have scored 13 of their 38 goals from corners – a total of 34.2%.

The Gunners have had more touches in the opposition box (981) than any other team. Liverpool are second with 939. They are second with Brentford, as measured by OPTA statistics, on creating big chances. They have 87 compared to City’s 89.

This points to efficiency and success – so far – this season, even though Arteta himself accepts things must be better than the panic-stricken conclusion to the Chelsea win.

He said in the immediate aftermath: “It is certainly something we will discuss as we have to improve it and do better.

“I’m trying to stay calm, but we weren’t getting the control we wanted, especially against ten men.

“You see with every team that is winning games that everyone is suffering and the margins are so small. But it’s good.”

City have suffered similarly stressful conclusions to their two most recent league wins against Newcastle United and Leeds United, but is this not what champions – or those wishing to be champions – do?

Are Arsenal also paying the price for the elite level football served up by Pep Guardiola’s City as they won six titles under the Catalan, and their closest rivals Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, who won one before his successor Arne Slot repeated the feat in his first season?

Guardiola’s style has become the purists’ template, while Klopp’s explosive “heavy metal football” provided a thrilling counterpoint.

Arteta has made Arsenal more pragmatic in the attempt to finally bring that elusive crown to Emirates Stadium.