Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal - Premier League - Source: Getty
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta - Source: Getty
Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has criticised Arsenal's playing style as they inch closer to a first top-flight title in 22 years. The Gunners last won the league in 2004 under legendary boss Arsene Wenger.
Mikel Arteta's side took a huge step towards ending their long title drought with a narrow 1-0 midweek win at Brighton & Hove Albion. While Brighton (58%) dominated possession, Bukayo Saka's ninth-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler lambasted the Gunners for their time-wasting tactics, with goalkeeper David Raya receiving extended treatment on the field. During the game, the Gunners' cumulative restarts totalled nearly 31 minutes, their most in the league this campaign.
"When I'm looking at them with my football manager's head on, they're so professional," Pardew told talkSPORT (via Standard), agreeing with Hurzeler's assessment. "They do every bit of gamesmanship to get it over the line."
Pardew - who has managed the likes of Crystal Palace and Newcastle United - acknowledged the Gunners' title credentials:
"At the moment it looks like Arsenal are going to see it through. There'll be an asterisk next to their name because you've only got to look at them really in these type of performances and say it's just a functional display.
"It's a professional, functional display. They're good, they're strong, they're powerful. But there is nothing beautiful about them. That's the truth."
The Gunners, seven points clear at the top, having played a game more, remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.
What's next for Arsenal?
Arsenal FC - Source: Getty
Arsenal FC - Source: Getty
Arsenal are on course for a historic season, as they remain alive in four different competitions. Following their gritty win at Brighton & Hove Albion to consolidate their spot atop the Premier League, they now turn their attention to the FA Cup.
On Saturday (March 7), Mikel Arteta's side visit League One side Mannsfield Town for a place in the quarter-finals. The Gunners are 14-time FA Cup winners and will be huge favourites to advance at the expense of the third-tier strugglers.
Four days later, though, they face a stiffer challenge when they travel to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg before the tie concludes on March 17 at the Emirates. The Gunners had finished the league phase with a perfect record, winning all eight games, becoming the first side to do so in the competition's current avatar.