Mikel Arteta might have prioritised solidity over excitability at times this season, but it could be a decision which brings Arsenal their first Premier League title in 22 years.
On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said people "should be praising" the Gunners' approach, after going within touching distance of the title with an edgy 1-0 win over West Ham.
"Arsenal have done something different," Sutton added. "We should be applauding them because not everybody can keep up with the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Paris St-Germain in terms of playing the beautiful and expansive game.
"So if other teams have adapted to that, we shouldn't be kicking them for it because, at the end of the day, the end justifies the means.
"If Arsenal go on and win the Premier League and the Champions League, we should all be praising Mikel Arteta to the hills. It is genius from him.
"Arsenal tried to play the beautiful game for years under Arsene Wenger, but they didn't win a Premier League."
The Observer's football correspondent Rory Smith added: "Arsenal have exploited it and they should be credited for their ingenuity, but that doesn't mean it is a good thing [for the game].
"Dressing it up as a good thing is sophistry because it has ruined the spectacle [of modern football]."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
[BBC]
[BBC]
