#Arsenal haven't won a title in 22 years. Since then, we were derided for our beautiful football, with the Gary Nevilles of the world describing us as weak, spineless, naive and arrogant, and using phrases like 'men against boys', 'messed around' and 'over emotional'.
We've now found a way to get over the line. Many of our marginal wins would have led to dropped points in previous seasons, but we we have found solutions such as set pieces and defensive disciple that kick in when our technical level drops, and that's why we're seven points clear.
Winning duels, making recoveries and keeping your shape is a boring cliche, but they are the basics that every title winning team has had. It may not always be enjoyable to watch, but ask yourself, would you prefer a scrappy 1-1 or a 2-1 defeat on the days it's not going right, or would you prefer the team to grind out a win?
We had the days of feeling robbed because our football didn't lead to the results we felt we deserved. This team has both. Players like Rice, Gabriel, Hincapie, Timber and Saliba allow us to play suffer ball when needed, and force the opposition to play in the areas we want to reduce their threat, but they can also mix it with the best ball players and slap teams like Tottenham and Villa 4-1 and Leeds 5-0 and 4-0.
The Invincibles learnt this too. They outplayed everyone in 02/03 and fell short. In 03/04 they returned with a ruthless desire to get over the line, and it led to a title with plenty of 1-0 wins. We forget what it takes to get to the top, especially when it has been such a long climb, but this team is doing it.
Criticise Mikel Arteta all you want, but look at where he has got us. Look at the standards we hold the team to. Look at how many clubs are trying to replicate what we're doing. This is a glorious position to be in.
Now, buckle up, and get behind this team. We've got a title to win.