Will Arsenal’s style and approach matter if they get over the line and win the Premier League?
Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry do not believe so, but both also think not everyone’s perception of the approach will be positive if Mikel Arteta’s side lift the trophy come May.
“When you have a team who dominate an era, most people want the team that’s battling with them to win,” Carragher told Monday Night Football on Sky Sports.
“It doesn’t feel like there is that feeling with Arsenal and Manchester City. I think a lot of fans rather City win it, even some Manchester United and Liverpool fans.
“There is something about Arsenal and how they’ve gone about it, whether you like it or not, whether it’s the style of football, Arteta on the side of the pitch, the fanbase on social media, that rubs people up the wrong way.
“Some of the criticism is absolute nonsense. There’s no right or wrong way to play football. It’s about being the best at what you do.
“Right now, whether you like it or not as an Arsenal supporter, they are going to be remembered as a set-piece team. If they win the league, in 10 years time people will say it was only set-pieces or whatever, but how could he [Arteta] take on Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola – two of the best teams in European football at that time – with less wages and less spend at the time?
“He had to find another way and he’s done it.”
Henry added: “We asked Mikel Arteta to find a way.
“He did. I’ve wanted to win a league for 22 years. We might talk about the style next year. Everybody was vocal about Arsenal not finding a way to win. We still haven’t again but he is finding a way.
“I’m not saying we’re going to do it, but if we do it, however we do it I will respect that. It’s not about what anyone likes. I don’t have to like it, but I’ll surely respect it.”