Arsenal have moved five points clear in the Premier League after a convincing victory over Chelsea. Two goals from corners secured the result, but one big question remains. While the scoreline was decisive, the debate surrounding the performance remains filled with tension. Apparently, winning is no longer enough for Arsenal to satisfy their loudest critics like Adrian Durham.
What does Adrian Durham think about the Arsenal fanbase?
Much of the current criticism stems from a belief that a title win for Arsenal would be frustrating. Football presenter Adrian Durham has recently claimed that the supporters would be “unbearable” if they finally clinch the trophy. As per reports, he argued that the fans were too cruel about their own club for a long period. He pointed out an incident where they booed Emmanuel Eboue until he cried.
Regarding the team’s style of play, he claimed that their current football is effective. However, he added that it is nothing near the quality produced by the squad under Arsene Wenger in the 2000s.
Despite his desire to see them stopped, Durham admitted that he thinks Arsenal can win the league. He has acknowledged they have been the best team this season. As a result of his feelings toward the fanbase, he is supporting Manchester City. He stated that his support is for a limited time just to prevent the title win from the Gunners. He believes that Manchester City can only stop Arsenal from claiming their first league title in 22 years.
🚨JUST IN: Adrian Durham says an Arsenal title win would be “unbearable” and admits he’s backing Manchester City to stop them.
He actually believes Arsenal have been the best team and will probably win it, but claims it’s the fans he can’t deal with, not the football. pic.twitter.com/kLUUdHqRSR
— Arsenal voice (@Voi77637Voice) March 3, 2026
The Numbers Disproving Adrian Durham
The media narrative has focused heavily on the negative label of “Set Piece FC”. This branding suggests the squad relies too much on dead-ball situations to win matches.
The statistics tell a different story. Corners account for 27.5% of their league goals this season. But 42 of Arsenal’s 58 Premier League strikes have come from open play. Which is roughly 72% of their total tally, with three arriving from the penalty spot. Out of the 20 matches where they went one goal up, the opener came from a set-piece or penalty 13 times. While critics focus on dead balls, the team is becoming efficient in every aspect of play.
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has pushed back against this narrative, specifically rejecting the “Set Piece FC” label. He argued that even after victories, positive reporting remains rare, always seeing the glass half-empty rather than half-full. For Petit, the only thing that matters is securing three points.
Arsenal are five points ahead of Manchester City again.
Manchester United are third after their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Chelsea are sixth having gone three Premier League games without a win. pic.twitter.com/HH3jVL5QCm
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 1, 2026
Mikel Arteta’s words on critiques
The manager has remained firm in his defense of the team tactics. He expressed his satisfaction in a press conference after the Chelsea win. When asked if the current style is unattractive, Arteta responded that: “it’s not ugly. You have to play the game that is there for you to play, and against Chelsea, you know exactly the game that you’re going to play. For me, it’s a beautiful game to play because they have so much quality, and you have to adapt so much to what they do, and they have to do the same against us.”
He also made clear that the ambition extends beyond just surviving difficult moments. “We want to be the best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game,” he said, emphasizing that the margins at the top level are incredibly small. He praised goalkeeper David Raya for deciding the match when the team needed him most.
Critics like Adrian Durham may worry about the fans. But the manager is focused on getting results when it matters most.
The Final Sprint
The title race is entering its final stretch. Arsenal five points clear and City lurking with a game in hand. Whether the noise surrounding the fanbase or the style of play matters is ultimately irrelevant to the standings. The league leaders now shift their focus to Wednesday’s difficult away test at Brighton.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
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