Trystan Russell

Those nine wins being in spite of a poor summer transfer window (in the key attacking area they needed to address). In spite of losing a critical piece of their title-winning puzzle, Saliba. In spite of facing 3 away sides they failed to beat last season, winning all 3.

And now Arteta is being asked questions not of how he’s evolved the team to instead rely on goals from open play… it’s: Are you concerned about your lack of goals from set pieces… Ten games. Nine wins.

…more scrutiny than any other side in the league in the context of where they sit on the English and European stage, that are enemy number one for so many. Hell, the rules even changed and this season they’ve not scored from a single free-kick or corner…

Not only win, but to win against a side now found guilty of years of regulation-breaking actions. But it’s AFC, the team who have worked to the rules, moved stadiums, sacrificed years of being competitive to grow, develop some of the country’s best talent, that face…

And when they did, the way they did it was overanalysed, and found to be offensive by sensitive souls who quite liked Arsenal being around, but not being the side that broke away from what people expect of them so they could win.

The champions, The Arsenal, got there by being the most unbeatable side in the league, with multiple ways to ply open the genuine borefest low blocks they faced most weeks (which somehow never came into focus) including a consistency from set pieces never seen before.

“Boring, boring Arsenal.” It’s not their job to entertain you anymore. When they did & fell short you labelled them “bottlers.” When they did but were outmuscled you called them “soft”. When they did but went years without trophies you kept asking if this is Mikel’s last chance