Arsenal's Premier League title challenge has sparked debate about their playing style, with critics questioning whether they could be the 'ugliest' champions in history. Former players Chris Sutton and Paul Scholes have weighed in, but the Gunners' statistics tell a more nuanced story.

Mikel Arteta's team leads the league by seven points and remains in contention for four trophies. They've scored 59 goals in 30 games, averaging 1.97 per match - higher than 12 previous title winners. However, 41% of those goals have come from set pieces, the highest percentage for any Premier League champion.

While Arsenal's set-piece reliance draws criticism, their approach isn't unprecedented. Blackburn's 1994-95 and Manchester United's 2007-08 title teams also heavily relied on dead-ball situations. Wayne Rooney defended Arsenal's style, calling it 'brilliant' and noting that set pieces are 'part of football.' The Gunners have also maintained discipline, with just 40 yellow cards and no red cards so far - well below Chelsea's record 73 bookings in 2014-15.