Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been a study in contrasts this season—sacrificing flair for fortitude in a calculated gamble that could end a 22-year Premier League title drought. And according to former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, that's not just smart football; it's genius.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton defended the Gunners' pragmatic approach after their nervy 1-0 victory over West Ham brought them within touching distance of the crown. "Arsenal have done something different," Sutton said. "We should be applauding them because not everybody can keep up with the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich, or Paris St-Germain in terms of playing the beautiful and expansive game."

For a team that once defined itself by free-flowing, attacking football under Arsène Wenger, this shift in philosophy has been jarring for some purists. But Sutton argues that results, not aesthetics, should be the final judge. "If other teams have adapted, we shouldn't be kicking them for it because, at the end of the day, the end justifies the means," he added. "If Arsenal go on and win the Premier League and the Champions League, we should all be praising Mikel Arteta to the hills. It is genius from him. Arsenal tried to play the beautiful game for years under Wenger, but they didn't win a Premier League."

Not everyone is convinced, however. The Observer's football correspondent Rory Smith offered a more cautious take, acknowledging Arsenal's tactical ingenuity while lamenting what it means for the sport's entertainment value. "Arsenal have exploited it and they should be credited for their ingenuity, but that doesn't mean it is a good thing [for the game]," Smith said. "Dressing it up as a good thing is sophistry because it has ruined the spectacle of modern football."

As the season reaches its climax, Arteta's tactical tightrope walk has sparked a debate that cuts to the heart of modern football: Is winning beautiful enough? For Arsenal fans who have waited more than two decades for a title, the answer might be a resounding yes.