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Arsenal might not be the most stylish side around, nor are they particularly admired by Fabian Hurzeler or Paul Scholes — but perhaps everyone’s missing the essence of their strength.

Paul Scholes recently stated that if Arsenal top the Premier League table after 38 games this season, they should not be handed the trophy. His argument is that the 2025/26 campaign has been of below-par quality, and that the Gunners have relied too heavily on narrow set-piece margins. According to Scholes, crowning them champions would tarnish the very definition of what it means to be the best in England — a slight to the Invincibles and an affront to the Centurions.

As one of the finest footballers to grace English football, Scholes — whose loyalty to Manchester United was admired by legends like Xavi Hernandez and Zinedine Zidane — certainly understands what defines a true champion, both in mentality and technical excellence.

Yet, someone should remind Scholes that he once won the Premier League with just 79 points — fewer than Arsenal have achieved in two of the past three seasons — and that his own Manchester United side was not exactly famed for playing beautiful, free-flowing football. And that’s perfectly acceptable.

Scholes was part of the United team that famously ended Arsenal’s 49-match unbeaten run in 2004 — a match laced with aggression and controversy. From Ruud van Nistelrooy’s challenge on Ashley Cole to Gary Neville’s relentless marking of Jose Reyes, the Red Devils were always ready for a fight. Roy Keane embodied that spirit. Arsenal, under Arsène Wenger, were the purists — trying to outplay opponents with flair and faith in young talent. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, on the other hand, thrived on intensity, smart signings, psychological warfare, and winning by any means necessary.

And again, that’s fine. Two decades later, the lesson remains: sometimes, you have to grind your way to success.

“If they win, no one will ask how they did it,” Fabian Hurzeler remarked after Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Yet, he made his feelings clear: “Only one team tried to play football tonight.”

He added, “I will never be a manager who tries to win that way. If I asked whether anyone enjoyed that match, maybe only one hand would go up — probably an Arsenal fan’s. But if they win the league, then they win the league.”

This Arsenal side can indeed play. Over the past three and a half years, they’ve delivered moments of brilliance, with Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz combining beautifully. They’ve done it on grand stages too — from defeating Manchester City 5-1 to outclassing Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and rekindling memories of Wengerball in late 2023/24.

But artistry alone means little without silverware to show for it.

That point was illustrated perfectly against Brighton — much to Hurzeler’s displeasure. In recent years, Arsenal have often struggled at the Amex, whether outplayed or undone by refereeing precision. Yet, six minutes into the game, Saka was released by a clever Ebere Eze pass, only to misplace his cross. Moments later, he cut inside from the right and saw his effort deflect off Carlos Baleba for the opener. By then, Arsenal had already cleared one off their own line.

This is the hallmark of a top side — balancing grace with grit. Arsenal then tightened up defensively, prioritising ball retention and game management. They slowed play down when needed and asked their wingers, Saka and Martinelli, to track back and defend deep when possession was lost.

The challenge with ‘margins football’ is obvious. Early on, Cristhian Mosquera was booked for his first tackle. As Brighton pressed after the hour mark, Mikel Arteta opted for caution, shifting Piero Hincapié — excellent at left-back — into an improvised centre-back role. It was a bold call at 1-0.

We’ve seen similar patterns throughout the season. Arsenal shut up shop against Chelsea and nearly paid the price, salvaging victory through a late corner and a bit of luck. A similar approach against Wolverhampton Wanderers backfired. This team isn’t about blowing opponents away — it’s about holding firm. And nearly every player is operating at their absolute limit.

This is Arsenal’s identity now. They won’t suddenly throw caution to the wind. If this group crosses the finish line first, Scholes will be proven wrong and Hurzeler vindicated. This would be a triumph built on sheer effort and resilience.

They’re not a team of Galácticos. There’s no ruthless finisher leading the line — they could join Manchester City’s 2020/21 side as the only Premier League winners without a conventional striker. Their stars are defined by work ethic: Declan Rice the powerhouse, Saka the creative spark, and a defensive unit of warriors. They lack a David Silva, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, or Trent Alexander-Arnold — but they compensate with balance and unity.

Most champions combine artistry with ruthlessness. Arsenal’s method is different — and that’s what makes it compelling.

To push Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City all the way, lose two titles narrowly, and then finally win with a side that thrives on fine margins would be extraordinary. Few teams have ever managed such a feat. It’s one thing to grind out results in a relegation fight — quite another to win a title over 60 matches playing every three days.

Arsenal held on at the Amex by the skin of their teeth. The final minutes were nerve-wracking for their travelling supporters, but their ability to close out games is their real star power. They recorded the most long passes in a Premier League game this season and failed to register a single shot on target after scoring — yet somehow, they made it work again. This team has been perfecting this style for over three years now.

Manchester City revolutionised the league. Arsenal are redefining it once more. The Premier League is brutally competitive — six of Europe’s top 16 clubs hail from England. Every opponent can test you, as Nottingham Forest proved tonight.

When told of Hurzeler’s comments, Arteta simply responded, “Next question.” Asked whether he cared about other managers’ opinions, he said, “Depends.” On what? “On the manager — and what they said.”

Critics can argue all they want. The facts speak louder. Some City fans may claim they represent ‘pure’ football and that Arsenal’s success would signal regression, but that’s just noise.

Arsenal might not be pretty, but they are ruthlessly efficient. It’s a welcome change from an era of steamrolling dominance.