Arsenal beat Brighton 1-0 in Premier League Round 29. After the match, British media BBC published an article stating that Arsenal had picked up the points but not the plaudits.
In the view of the BBC, Arsenal have been firmly cast as the villains of the Premier League title race. Yet this chaotic night against Brighton may well turn out to be the night that ultimately wins them the Premier League title.
As Arsenal’s rugged, pragmatic style comes under increasingly blunt scrutiny, the Gunners are in real danger of ending up as unpopular, unlikeable champions.
Decided by an early goal from Saka, the game was controversial and utterly unwatchable, drawing more criticism for Arsenal after full-time. The victory extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to seven points, a potentially decisive advantage. To end a 22-year wait, would Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta care if they won the title by any means necessary? Unlikely.
Arteta’s side have been criticised for what observers call “dark arts” and over-reliance on set-piece tactics to stay top. And the 1-0 victory at the Amex Stadium was the very definition of ugly. In fact to describe it as "ugly" is an insult to ugly.
At half-time, Arsenal’s expected goals (xG) stood at just 0.01, and there was little improvement after the break, with Kai Havertz not registering their second shot on target until the 88th minute. It was Arsenal’s 10th one-goal win of the season. Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler was clearly infuriated, raging for much of the game at Arsenal’s game plan and what unfolded in front of him.
Yet when the final whistle blew, Arsenal fans celebrated wildly – both the win and Manchester City’s draw with Nottingham Forest. This ugly, street-fight victory might just turn into a beautiful ending. Arsenal celebrated while City dropped points, and in the tight title race, it felt like a potentially decisive night. The Premier League is not a popularity contest – it is a title race, and Arsenal are currently in pole position.
When the night was over, Arsenal had their fate in their own hands, with eight games standing between them and glory. If they do go on to lift the coveted Premier League trophy, Arsenal will believe it is the ultimate answer to their growing band of critics.
