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Jamie Carragher has suggested that history will not reflect kindly on the current Arsenal side if the Gunners go on to win the Premier League this season.
Mikel Arteta's men are six points clear at the top of the table, having collected 25 points from 30 available since the start of the campaign.
Unlike the Manchester City and Liverpool teams that have won the Premier League with swashbuckling play over the last few years, the Arsenal team's big strength is its defense.
Arsenal has conceded just three goals in 16 games in all competitions so far this term, and although the North London team's pragmatic approach is reaping rewards from a results perspective, Carragher does not think it is a particularly enjoyable style to watch.
"Over 50 per cent of Arsenal’s goals have come from set-plays," Carragher said in The Telegraph. "They and their fans should not care, as their famous chant, 'set-piece again ole, ole' demonstrates.
"There are no supporters of any club who would not celebrate possessing such a weapon. The emergence of set-piece coaches means more teams than ever are maximising their chances of scoring.
"A debate can be had as to how a team winning the league with less than 50 per cent of their goals coming from open play will be remembered, but it’s the outcome that matters if you finish as champions.
"Corners and free-kicks have been vital to results since the game began, and I look proudly at the 2001 Uefa Cup winners’ medal, won thanks to a free-kick from set-piece expert Gary McAllister."
Ahead of Liverpool's trip to Manchester City on Sunday, Carragher gave his view on the regressive period that he believes English soccer is currently going through.
"For pure footballing excellence, City v Liverpool was the zenith of the rivalry between two elite teams and coaches – a duel between the best team in the world with the ball, and the best team in the world without it.
"It was the first and only time the two most accomplished teams on the planet were neck-and-neck for the Premier League title.
"English football had reached a new standard of sophistication with false nines, hybrid full-backs and centre-halves playing more like midfielders.
"Now, rather than absorb the standards set by Guardiola, especially, and seek innovative means of propelling the game, more Premier League coaches are looking to the past over redefining the future. We are in a period of regression."
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