Arsenal managed to secure a hard-fought victory, but its implications could be significant as the season progresses.
Mikel Arteta adopted a minimalist approach that almost maximized their outcome last night at Brighton. They clinched a 1-0 win, extending their lead to seven points at the top of the table after city rivals Manchester City drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest, prompting even more exuberance from the traveling Arsenal fans than the final whistle itself. For the first time this season, the supporters began chanting, “we’re gonna win the league.”
While the chant may tempt fate, it’s hard to fault them given the significance of the win for the season. Yet, rarely have matches felt so pivotal, yet so subdued—at least until Fabian Hurzeler’s post-match press conference. “I will never be the type of manager who tries to win that way,” he stated, despite Arsenal’s victory.
The post-match atmosphere highlighted multiple truths: Hurzeler raised valid points, albeit missing the overall picture, while Arsenal could heed some of his criticisms, particularly about not wanting to endure too many games like this. However, a win under these circumstances may actually liberate Arsenal and counteract that potential fear.
It wasn’t an exhilarating match.
Arsenal took the lead thanks to a fortunate goal from Bukayo Saka, and that would be the highlight. Arteta’s side managed to achieve their first clean sheet in five matches, since their 3-0 victory over Sunderland on February 7, which could prove crucial.
This clean sheet may alleviate some anxiety that permeated the match. Meanwhile, City’s draw also means Arsenal is currently on the longest winning streak in the Premier League, with three consecutive wins.
However, the match didn’t need to be as tense as it felt.
Hurzeler remarked post-game that “there was only one team trying to play football,” insisting his side deserved a 2-1 win. He even questioned the time-wasting, asking, “do you ever see in a Premier League game the goalkeeper going down three times?”
When asked if he discussed time-wasting tactics with Arteta, Hurzeler simply remarked on the prevalence of it. He emphasized that the Premier League needs to reevaluate its rules.
Arteta’s response was straightforward: “What a surprise?” When pressed about his feelings toward other managers’ comments, he replied, “depends.” When asked “depends on what?” he added, “Yeah. And the comments… and the purpose.”
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal an early lead (Adam Davy/PA)
Before diving deeper into the nuances of these arguments and game mechanics, it’s essential to recognize the psychological implications of Wednesday’s outcomes.
This was likely a match where Arsenal might have faltered in a tricky away game while City thrived in a favorable home game; instead, the opposite occurred. For Arteta, any fallout from the 2-2 draw against Wolves has been mitigated—at least for now.
However, the results serve as a reminder that this journey is unlikely to be a straightforward ascent, unlike the 2018-19 season. Arsenal must remain aware of the Premier League’s competitiveness, which poses a constant threat of dropped points, emphasizing the need for consistent performance. While Hurzeler made pointed comments about the way Arsenal plays, Arteta refrained from addressing this directly, as there’s ongoing debate over the ethicality of winning in that style. Arteta himself wouldn’t favor a continued playing style like this.
This approach leads to excessive psychological strain, revealing a broader pattern.
Mikel Arteta brushed off the frequent criticism of his side (Getty Images)
Throughout the season, there have been instances where Arsenal has struggled to find the net, making Saka’s fortunate strike feel like a sigh of relief—as if they were overdue for a stroke of luck. Within Arteta’s staff, some believe the scorelines don’t accurately reflect their expected goals.
And so, Saka found himself unexpectedly cutting inside for a long-range shot—with an xG of just 0.01—which took a deflection, catching Bart Verbruggen off guard.
Yet, much like in recent matches, Arsenal wasn’t able to build on their lead. Their next attempt wouldn’t come until the second half, allowing Brighton to control much of the play, if not the chance creation. The pattern was reminiscent of recent Arsenal fixtures, and it mirrored Brighton’s previous matches. That João Pedro had already secured a hat-trick for Chelsea against Aston Villa was particularly significant, highlighting a talent Brighton has yet to replace. Still, with Kaoru Mitoma free to roam, Brighton remained well-structured until they reached the final third—where they often struggled. Hurzeler’s complaints sounded slightly bitter, considering Brighton only generated 0.8 xG themselves.
Perhaps this is why Arsenal allowed them possession, but there’s reason to believe there are deeper underlying factors. Arteta visibly urges his players to push forward, as he generally thrives on a playing philosophy that encourages ball movement. That strategy inherently comes with some risk and a desire for a proactive approach.
Defeat for Manchester City kept Arsenal a step ahead in the title race (Action Images via Reuters)
However, in such situations, multiple players tend to fall short, failing to assert themselves. It might be subtle, barely noticeable, but collectively, it makes the team susceptible. This is likely tied to the psychological pressure of pursuing their first title in 22 years. In that way, Hurzeler misses the broader context; it’s more about the preferential style of winning. Winning is essential, regardless of method.
This strategy sharpens their focus, knowing that one slip can alter everything—something they are all too familiar with from last season’s fixture. Arsenal’s title challenge faltered when they drew 1-1 against Brighton after going 1-0 up due to a contentious penalty.
This situation holds potential similarities. There was a palpable concern about Arsenal being caught and the fear that too many subdued performances would chip away at their advantage. Yet, this time they persevered and defeated Brighton.
How they reversed the situation from last season may prove symbolic and significant. This victory could provide Arsenal the reassurance they need and minimize the chances of repeating this nervy performance in the near future.
The arrival of different attacking profiles does help—as evidenced by the increased energy once Kai Havertz replaced Viktor Gyokeres. The German offers a sense of control that the side benefitted from.
Now, Arsenal holds full command of the title race for the first time in weeks. They accomplished what was necessary but must remain mindful that this approach should not become their norm.