Much has been made of Arsenal's so-called pragmatic football this season, but the truth is that Mikel Arteta has manufactured a world-class outfit over the past several years, now on the cusp of the biggest of prizes.
Arsenal's secret is their myriad of personalities. Arteta has had his side playing like prime Barcelona, irresistible during the 2022/23 campaign, that first foray into title contention, before evolving into a more structured and patient unit over the past year or two.
There's no question that, this year, football has flowed as freely as in recent terms, but the Gunners are not alone in embracing a direct way of playing in the Premier League, prioritising set plays and physical dominance while maintaining efficiency in possession.
Mikel Arteta's Premier League Journey at Arsenal
Season
25/26
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
20/21
19/20*
*Mikel Arteta replaced Unai Emery in December 2019
Arsenal boast a top-class defence, and Declan Rice's midfield are firing on all cylinders too, but as Arsenal chase down titles at the final stages of the campaign, the frontline are finally roaring into life.
How Arsenal's frontline have come alive
He's received some flak throughout the season, but Viktor Gyokeres has played a crucial role in Arsenal's success this season - especially since Christmas, having now scored 21 goals across 51 appearances in an Arsenal shirt.
Is Gyokeres world-class? No, probably not. At times, he has appeared incongruous inside Arteta's tactical world. The 27-year-old averages 5.4 passes per game in the Premier League, and his general play has left a lot to be desired since his £64m transfer from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
However, now he is undroppable at centre-forward, his displays against Atletico Madrid crucial in taking the Gunners to the final, to the Puskas Stadium in Budapest.
He's not alone in recharging Arteta's frontline. Bukayo Saka might have only bundled in against Atleti at the Emirates, but it was possibly the biggest goal of the England star's career,
Bukayo-Saka-Arsenal-Champions-League
With the finish line in sight, Arteta may want to field the same line-up over the final few weeks, albeit shifting between Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left.
But, in a twist that few would have been on board with only a few weeks ago, another of Arteta's most trusted lieutenants must stay benched.
Arteta favourite can't start again this season
Arteta loves Kai Havertz. The German international's press resistence and mobility across central attacking zones makes him a priceless part of the Arsenal system.
And yet, he probably shouldn't start over these final few weeks, certainly not ahead of Gyokeres, whose brutish striker play bore dividends in the quest to reach a first Champions League final in two decades.
Described as a "Bergkamp kind of player" by pundit Paul Merson a few years ago, Havertz is one of the best in the business at dotting the i's and crossing the t's up top, even if he's not a natural-born goalscorer in the same vein as Gyokeres.
The 26-year-old is a very talented forward, but he's also injury-prone and somewhat out of sync. Against PSG in the final, Arteta will brook no influent play from his players.
Kai Havertz's Premier League Minutes
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22/23
21/22
20/21
Arteta loves Havertz, signing him from Chelsea for £65m in 2023, and while his Bergkamp-esque take on the striking game makes him an invaluable asset, his skills should be applied after the break, not from the opening whistle.
There is a lot on the line for Arsenal over the final few weeks of the season, and with Saka returning to his best and Gyokeres bringing such a physical and imposing presence to the front of the ship, Arteta may want to keep his squad intact.
Arsenal-Havertz-1
Havertz could play a big part over the final few weeks of the season, but so could Gyokeres, who proved he's the best man for the job at number nine right now.
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Arsenal are now shifting their focus towards signing a midfield star who could partner Declan Rice next season.